Brussels
The European Commission and the E.U. Presidency are taking joint action in order to press Russia and Belarus to be "transparent and reliable" in their oil deliveries, after disruptions due to a dispute between the two countries.
At the same time, the European Union convened its Oil Supply Group in order to coordinate the response of the member states to the disruption of oil supplies. Representatives of Russia and Belarus were present at the start of the meeting to provide information on developments.
The latest events revealed, once again, the need for a coherent E.U. energy policy that makes a common European Union action possible, as well as strengthening the security of supply for the European Union.
The European Union does not have a unified method of gas reserves, because of differences between the states in regard to crisis management.
The latest incident brought up renewed concerns about the dependency of the E.U. on Russian oil supplies. A similar event took place last year between Russia and Ukraine.
Mr. Andris Piebalgs, E.U. Energy Commissioner, said after the meeting of the Oil Supply Group that supply must not be disrupted in the future.
He also formally rebuked Russia for cutting the oil supplies through Belarus without any prior notification.
The E.U. sent a letter in which it delivered a stern warning to Russia and Belarus and expressed disapproval of the way the dispute between Russia and Belarus had affected the E.U. and urged both to resolve the problems that caused the disruption of the oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline.
Germany's secretary of state for economy Joachim Wuermeling, said that there must be clear rules for international trade in oil. He added the German E.U. Presidency will "make sure common European Union policy is address in the next six months."
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Background
Israel Rafalovich: New E.U. Energy Plan + UPDATE
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3048&blz=1
Israel Rafalovich: E.U. to Toughen Policy on Russia
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3039&blz=1
The European Commission and the E.U. Presidency are taking joint action in order to press Russia and Belarus to be "transparent and reliable" in their oil deliveries, after disruptions due to a dispute between the two countries.
At the same time, the European Union convened its Oil Supply Group in order to coordinate the response of the member states to the disruption of oil supplies. Representatives of Russia and Belarus were present at the start of the meeting to provide information on developments.
The latest events revealed, once again, the need for a coherent E.U. energy policy that makes a common European Union action possible, as well as strengthening the security of supply for the European Union.
The European Union does not have a unified method of gas reserves, because of differences between the states in regard to crisis management.
The latest incident brought up renewed concerns about the dependency of the E.U. on Russian oil supplies. A similar event took place last year between Russia and Ukraine.
Mr. Andris Piebalgs, E.U. Energy Commissioner, said after the meeting of the Oil Supply Group that supply must not be disrupted in the future.
He also formally rebuked Russia for cutting the oil supplies through Belarus without any prior notification.
The E.U. sent a letter in which it delivered a stern warning to Russia and Belarus and expressed disapproval of the way the dispute between Russia and Belarus had affected the E.U. and urged both to resolve the problems that caused the disruption of the oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline.
Germany's secretary of state for economy Joachim Wuermeling, said that there must be clear rules for international trade in oil. He added the German E.U. Presidency will "make sure common European Union policy is address in the next six months."
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Background
Israel Rafalovich: New E.U. Energy Plan + UPDATE
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3048&blz=1
Israel Rafalovich: E.U. to Toughen Policy on Russia
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3039&blz=1