Strategic energy partners meet to review state of play and prospects for cooperation.
With Russia providing 25% of the EU's oil and gas supplies, it is hard to overestimate the importance of smooth cooperation. In this spirit, commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Russian energy minister Victor Khristenko met in Brussels on 16 October ahead of the EU-Russia summit to exchange views on the latest developments in their respective energy markets.
They also discussed increasing energy efficiency and how the EU's latest energy package would affect infrastructure, and finalised the eighth progress report, laying the groundwork for further cooperation.
"Russia and the European Union are important strategic partners and it is in both our interests to strengthen this relationship further. A true EU-Russia strategic energy partnership should provide long-term certainty, security and predictability for both sides" said commissioner Piebalgs.
Just ten months ago, an oil row between Russia and Belarus led to an interruption in EU oil supplies. Keeping communication channels open is crucial to ensure this doesn't happen again.
Regular energy talks with Russia have been held since 2000, following a decision taken at a previous EU-Russia summit.
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Author: European Commission
