Brussels, 25/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Speaking before the press on Thursday during the presentation of the Sustainable Energy Week (see related article), Andris Piebalgs said he was “concerned” about last Sunday's conclusion of a protocol agreement on gas between Algeria and Russia aimed at strengthening cooperation between these two countries (see EUROPE 9315). In this context, the energy commissioner called on Algiers and Moscow to explain their intentions and the impact that these would have on European consumers. “Why are we worried? Because these two countries are at the origin of 35% of our energy consumption”, Piebalgs said. “If I imagine that there is some agreement on limiting production or prices, it will inevitably have an influence on European consumers”, he said, adding: “If you have a monopoly supplier, risk increases”. Piebalgs went on to stress: “We shall call on our partners for clarification in the context of our dialogues with Algeria and Russia: - what their intentions are, in what process they are engaged and what the consequences could be for Union consumers”. On 22 January, Algiers and Moscow signed a protocol agreement for energy cooperation aimed at ensuring the follow-up to joint projects at every stage of exploration, production, marketing and transport for fossil fuels. The Union fears that this agreement will result in the establishment of an energy cartel between the Russian gas company, Gazprom, and the Algerian company, Sonatrach, to the detriment of European interests. (eh)