EU Rejects Russia Proposal to Replace Energy Charter
The European Union refused to accept President Dmitry Medvedev's proposal for an alternative Energy Charter, which he unveiled earlier this month in Finland.
EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs held talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin with hopes of improving relations after Russia cut-off gas supplies to Ukraine in January. Regarding Medvedev's proposal, Piebalgs noted that while Medvedev's plan was "ambitious" and "global," the Energy Charter Treaty will "continue to live its life until the countries that established it decide differently."
On Russia's concerns regarding an agreement between Brussels and Ukraine to modernize Ukraine's transit network, Piebalgs added: "There's no intention to isolate Russia or make Russia more vulnerable. It's really an honest attempt from our side to modernize the transport system."