04-10-05
Russia covers 90 % of the European Union's natural gas needs, President
Vladimir Putin told at the end of the Russia-EU summit.
"Russia is a reliable partner and has never let its partners in Europe down,"
the Russian leader said. "Rumours that Europe could lose its energy independence
are greatly exaggerated," he said, echoing British premier Tony Blair's opinion
that neither side depended on the other.
Putin said that Russia and the EU had attained a new level of strategic
interaction.
"We made a decision to allow [our] European partners to produce natural gas in
Russia," he said.
He added that the partners had met Russia halfway by granting it access to
electricity distribution networks including in Europe.
"And together we intend to pursue major infrastructure projects, including the
construction of the North European Gas Pipeline," the president added.
Source: RIA Novosti