Brussels, 02/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - Following the political assent given at the start of the week by the EU-Russia summit (se EUROPE of 31 October, p.9), the working group responsible for implementing the energy partnership rapidly started its work. It should then gather in Moscow in the first half of the month. The two parties selected as leaders Mr Francois Lamoureux, Director General for Energy at the European Commission, and Mr Viktor Khristenko, Russian Vice-Minister responsible for relations with Europe. Thus, Mr Prodi's desire to have a single representative in Russia is fulfilled.
The cooperation that will be studied covers both oil, gas and electricity, the main principal being the energy supply of the EU by Russia, in exchange for equipment and technology provided by the EU. The role of the public authorities will be to frame the agreements and contract to be concluded by the Russian energy companies and by European investors and importers. It concerns a wide ranging and long-lasting undertaking, involving accomplishments such as: Russian legislation that guarantees and protects investments, the construction of pipe lines and other installation, etc. Thus we should not expect rapid operational results not a spectacular development of Russia supplies of gas and oil in the short-term. Though the fact in itself that the operation has started should have concrete effects also in the short-term and demonstrate the EU's political will to diversify its supply sources, at the same time as other initiatives announced concerning energy savings, the development of renewable energy sources, the intensification of resources etc.
At the Paris summit, the two parties did not deepen the issue of the path of the new planned pipelines, which was only raised. Mr Putin indicated that at least two new pipelines will be necessary, in addition to the one that already exists passing through Poland (a consortium for the preparation of this project was formed) than that already being studies further to the south towards Turkey. Both on the Russia side as in European Commission circles they feel that the divergences with the Ukraine and Poland which have been seen recently could be overcome. In fact, the pipeline that crosses the Ukraine will continue for several years to ensure the present traffic, as well as the possible short-term increase during the many years required for the construction of new pipelines. At that time, the expansion of the transit will be such that the Ukrainian pipeline will remain vital. As for Poland, it should not maintain political reservations over the passage of the pipeline on its territory, if the Ukraine is in agreement, it will draw substantial "transit duties" that the Russian authorities have assessed at a billion dollars per year.