Brussels, 30/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following disruption of Russian oil supplies - via the Druzhba pipeline - to the Community markets in January, Moscow proposed setting up an early warning mechanism, in cooperation with the EU, in the event of cuts in supply of Russian hydrocarbons. The idea was officially communicated by the Russians at the meeting of the oils supply group on 11 January, then discussed at the Merkel-Putin meeting in Sotchi. Since then, work has continued and there was a first exchange of views on the mechanism between Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Russian Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko at the bilateral meeting in Geneva on 26 April, which was part of the EU-Russia, energy dialogue (see EUROPE 9416). EUROPE has seen an internal note from the Commission and, prior to the Piebalgs-Khristenko meeting, can give the first information on this mechanism.
According to the document, which is a first draft of the terms of reference on which the EU and Russians have agreed so far, the aim of the early warning mechanism is threefold: to enable both sides to identify in advance potential problems in the supply of oil and gas to the European Union, to encourage measures to be undertaken that could prevent disruptions from happening, and to allow both sides to prepare for any eventualities, by developing appropriate contingency plans. In a paragraph on the scope and content of the mechanism, the document says that, while the mechanism refers to supply of natural gas and oil from Russia to EU member states, and including that transiting through third countries, it also covers (Ed: non-Russian) oil and gas transiting through Russia. To be effective, the early warning mechanism will require the provision of detailed information in a timely manner and on a regular basis.
In terms of structure, the early warning mechanism provides for the establishment of new channels of communication and areas of cooperation, building upon a number of the existing elements of the EU-Russia energy dialogue. The overall management of the mechanism will be provided by the energy commissioner and the Russian energy minister, who will be able to contract one another at any time by means of a hotline. The first elements of the mechanism also provide for the appointment, by the Russian side, of an “Energy Courier” a Russian official equivalent to a “European Energy Security Correspondent”. The Energy Courier will interface with the network of European Energy Security Correspondents and will provide coordination among Russian stakeholders involved in the mechanism. The Russian side will ensure that their Energy Courier will have direct and comprehensive access to all relevant stakeholders and information in Russia: the ministries concerned and also, inter alia, Gazprom and Transneft. A newly established EU-Russia energy dialogue thematic group on energy strategies, forecasts and scenarios will meet every six months to review the development of energy supply and demand, including identifying, analysing and signalling potential long-term problems. This group will be made up of representatives of the EU (Commission, Council presidency and member states) and Russia (Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Trade and Foreign Affairs Ministries), along with EU and Russian industry and energy experts.
Finally, emphasising the role, according to circumstances, of transit countries in the mechanism, the document says that the EU intends to set up similar mechanisms with these countries. (eh)