Brussels, 16/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission hopes to gain a certain number of undertakings over cooperation in the field of energy, during the EU/Russia Summit that is taking place this Thursday in Moscow. In a Communication presented on Tuesday to the College, the Commission President, Romano Prodi and Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, discussed the dialogue between the EU and Russia over energy. Launched after the last bilateral summit, on 30 October 2000 in Paris, this dialogue has as aim to improve the investment conditions in the field of energy in Russia and to favour the integration of markets contributing to contribute towards the stability of gas and oil supplies in the EU.
This dialogue lead on the Russia side by the deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko, and the European side by the Commission Director General, Francois Lamoureau, has until now lead to the creation of four expert groups responsible for development the four priorities defined during the Paris Summit: 1) energy strategies and balances; 2) technology transfers and energy infrastructure; 3) investments; 4) energy efficiency and the environment.
In the Communication, Romano Prodi and Loyola de Palacio identify ten aims they hope to see included in the final declaration of the Moscow Summit: 1) the examination of the energy strategies of the two parties in order to allow for their integration; 2) moves for transparency in the energy market; 3) the assessment of transport infrastructures for oil and gas as well as the development needs in this field; 4) a precise timetable for the regulatory reforms necessary to increase investments in the Russian energy sector; 5) an agreement on indicators in order to assess the improvement in prospects offered to investors, notably over the ratification of the "Energy Charter", the creation of a "single interlocutor", the establishment of a rapid dispute settlement procedure; 6) experience sharing, notably in terms of public service obligation; 7) the launching of pilot projects in terms of energy savings, concerning for example the modernisation of urban heating systems or pricing systems; 8) technology transfers.
On Tuesday, several Commissioners insisted for the European strategy towards producer countries not only concentrate only on Russia, but encompass other zones such as Central Asia, the Caspian Sea region and the Ukraine.