You can rely on the lefties to put foreigners above the interests of
their own people. The EU - for once - is doing the right thing by
seeking to keep our homes warm and lit and our economies powered.
In practice human rights issues are more forcibly negotiated in the
context of ongoing commercial relationships rather thasn placing
these countries in a pariah status. Somebody will but their fuel
supplies - why not the EU countries? Russia is the alternative and
we cannot allow ourselves to be dominated by their stranglehold
xxxxxxxxxxxx cs
===========================
TELEGRAPH 13.11.08
EU plans new energy deals to cut dependence on Russia
The European Union is drawing up plans to cut its dependency on
Russian oil and gas supplies by signing deals with dictatorships in
Asia and the Middle East.
By Bruno Waterfield in Brussels
EU leaders are keen to bypass Russia in order to break the
stranglehold its firms have on supplies to the continent.
The European Commission will today (THURS) publish a strategic review
of "energy security" on the eve of an EU-Russia summit in the French
city of Nice tomorrow (FRI).
The document, seen by The Daily Telegraph, has identified the EU's
dependency on oil and gas imports from Russia as a major element in
foreign policy and as a key factor in the political power play
between Europe and Moscow.
Britain has been looking for ways to cut dependence on Russian energy
sources following previous disruption to pipelines and growing fears
Moscow could use the threat of switching off the lights to wield
international power.
"Energy must be given the political priority it merits in the EU's
international relations," the paper said.
"This is of most concern with respect to gas, where a number of
member states are overwhelmingly dependent on one single supplier.
Political incidents in supplier or transit countries remind the EU of
the vulnerability of its immediate energy supply."
The meeting is the first top level meeting between Europe and Russia
since the height of Georgia conflict.
But the EU's attempts to control oil and gas resources have alarmed
campaigners who fear it is turning a blind eye to human rights abuses
in dictatorial countries that include Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran
and Belarus.
Key to reducing the dependency on Russian liquid natural pipelines
will be the creation of a "southern corridor" for "the supply of gas
from Caspian and Middle Eastern sources, which could potentially
supply a significant part of the EU's future needs."
"This is one of the EU's highest energy priorities," the paper stressed.
"The Commission and member states need to work with the countries
concerned, notably with partners such as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan,
among others, with the joint objective of rapidly securing firm
commitments for the supply of gas and the construction of pipelines
"In the longer term, when political conditions permit, supplies from
other countries in the region, such as Uzbekistan and Iran, should
represent a further significant supply source for the EU."
The document later notes that: "A strategy on Belarus should be
developed taking account of its importance as a neighbour and transit
country."
The EU's relations with Russia have been hit by a series of rows
since Moscow shut off gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine two years ago.
Energy imports cost the EU an estimated £293 billion every year, an
annual bill of £586 for every European, with the lion's share
following into Russian bank accounts.
By 2020, according to Commission figures, the EU dependency on gas
imports will rise from 61 per cent to 73 per cent, with Russia
remaining the primary source of supply.
Eight countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia,
Ireland, Sweden and Finland – are completely dependent on one Russian
gas imports.
The scramble for energy resources has worried campaigners who are
concerned that the EU is prepared to sell out human rights to clinch
agreement with some of the world's most notoriously authoritarian and
dictatorial regimes.
David Nichols, Amnesty International spokesman on EU foreign policy,
said: "This seems to confirm that the EU is ready to sacrifice human
rights when it comes to energy. The EU is looking at closer relations
with countries and ignoring rights violations.
"It has become a trend, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are examples,
that the EU has neglected to raise human rights abuses while engaging
on other issues."
EU foreign ministers have suspended sanctions and opened a review of
relations with Uzbekistan despite the "core unresolved" issue of the
government's massacre of hundred of protesters in Andizhan in 2005.
Amnesty International has continued to demand that the EU upholds its
original call for the killings to be investigated by an independent
international investigation, something which has still not taken place.
Looming EU plans to sign an Interim Trade Agreement with Turkmenistan
have also been controversial.
MEPs have asked for the deal to remain frozen until the regime
releases political prisoners and allows United Nations experts on
torture to enter the country but agreement is expected to proceed
next month.
Last month the EU lifted a travel ban on Alexander Lukashenko,
President of Belarus, a man dubbed "the last dictator in Europe".
Mr Lukashenko and key members of his government were hit by EU entry
restrictions and cash freeze sanctions after international observers
ruled that 2006 presidential elections were not free and fair.
their own people. The EU - for once - is doing the right thing by
seeking to keep our homes warm and lit and our economies powered.
In practice human rights issues are more forcibly negotiated in the
context of ongoing commercial relationships rather thasn placing
these countries in a pariah status. Somebody will but their fuel
supplies - why not the EU countries? Russia is the alternative and
we cannot allow ourselves to be dominated by their stranglehold
xxxxxxxxxxxx cs
===========================
TELEGRAPH 13.11.08
EU plans new energy deals to cut dependence on Russia
The European Union is drawing up plans to cut its dependency on
Russian oil and gas supplies by signing deals with dictatorships in
Asia and the Middle East.
By Bruno Waterfield in Brussels
EU leaders are keen to bypass Russia in order to break the
stranglehold its firms have on supplies to the continent.
The European Commission will today (THURS) publish a strategic review
of "energy security" on the eve of an EU-Russia summit in the French
city of Nice tomorrow (FRI).
The document, seen by The Daily Telegraph, has identified the EU's
dependency on oil and gas imports from Russia as a major element in
foreign policy and as a key factor in the political power play
between Europe and Moscow.
Britain has been looking for ways to cut dependence on Russian energy
sources following previous disruption to pipelines and growing fears
Moscow could use the threat of switching off the lights to wield
international power.
"Energy must be given the political priority it merits in the EU's
international relations," the paper said.
"This is of most concern with respect to gas, where a number of
member states are overwhelmingly dependent on one single supplier.
Political incidents in supplier or transit countries remind the EU of
the vulnerability of its immediate energy supply."
The meeting is the first top level meeting between Europe and Russia
since the height of Georgia conflict.
But the EU's attempts to control oil and gas resources have alarmed
campaigners who fear it is turning a blind eye to human rights abuses
in dictatorial countries that include Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran
and Belarus.
Key to reducing the dependency on Russian liquid natural pipelines
will be the creation of a "southern corridor" for "the supply of gas
from Caspian and Middle Eastern sources, which could potentially
supply a significant part of the EU's future needs."
"This is one of the EU's highest energy priorities," the paper stressed.
"The Commission and member states need to work with the countries
concerned, notably with partners such as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan,
among others, with the joint objective of rapidly securing firm
commitments for the supply of gas and the construction of pipelines
"In the longer term, when political conditions permit, supplies from
other countries in the region, such as Uzbekistan and Iran, should
represent a further significant supply source for the EU."
The document later notes that: "A strategy on Belarus should be
developed taking account of its importance as a neighbour and transit
country."
The EU's relations with Russia have been hit by a series of rows
since Moscow shut off gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine two years ago.
Energy imports cost the EU an estimated £293 billion every year, an
annual bill of £586 for every European, with the lion's share
following into Russian bank accounts.
By 2020, according to Commission figures, the EU dependency on gas
imports will rise from 61 per cent to 73 per cent, with Russia
remaining the primary source of supply.
Eight countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia,
Ireland, Sweden and Finland – are completely dependent on one Russian
gas imports.
The scramble for energy resources has worried campaigners who are
concerned that the EU is prepared to sell out human rights to clinch
agreement with some of the world's most notoriously authoritarian and
dictatorial regimes.
David Nichols, Amnesty International spokesman on EU foreign policy,
said: "This seems to confirm that the EU is ready to sacrifice human
rights when it comes to energy. The EU is looking at closer relations
with countries and ignoring rights violations.
"It has become a trend, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are examples,
that the EU has neglected to raise human rights abuses while engaging
on other issues."
EU foreign ministers have suspended sanctions and opened a review of
relations with Uzbekistan despite the "core unresolved" issue of the
government's massacre of hundred of protesters in Andizhan in 2005.
Amnesty International has continued to demand that the EU upholds its
original call for the killings to be investigated by an independent
international investigation, something which has still not taken place.
Looming EU plans to sign an Interim Trade Agreement with Turkmenistan
have also been controversial.
MEPs have asked for the deal to remain frozen until the regime
releases political prisoners and allows United Nations experts on
torture to enter the country but agreement is expected to proceed
next month.
Last month the EU lifted a travel ban on Alexander Lukashenko,
President of Belarus, a man dubbed "the last dictator in Europe".
Mr Lukashenko and key members of his government were hit by EU entry
restrictions and cash freeze sanctions after international observers
ruled that 2006 presidential elections were not free and fair.
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