The Russian Perspective on the Energy Dialogue

Abstract

The EU–Russia Energy Dialogue was proposed by the European Commission. Russia initially strove to protect its short-term interests within this forum. However, over the last five years Russia has established its own long-term vision of the Energy Dialogue, which in many ways challenges Brussels' vision. The article traces this evolution in the Russian attitude to the Energy Dialogue. It then compares Moscow's views with those promoted by Brussels and looks at how these views are supported by the institutional structure of the EU–Russia Energy Dialogue.

Keywords:

• energy
• EU–Russia relations
• EU–Russia Energy Dialogue
• Russian foreign policy

Notes

¹ Joint Declaration of the President of the European Council, Mr J. Chirac, assisted by the Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, Mr J. Solana, of the President of the Commission of the European Communities, Mr R. Prodi, and of the President of the Russian Federation, Mr V. V. Putin, Paris, 30 October 2000.

² See note 1.

³ They produced so called progress reports. By now the parties agreed on the synthesis report (2001) and seven progress reports, in May and November 2002, November 2003, November 2004, October 2005, November 2006 and October 2007.

⁴ For more on the analysis of the agenda for the Energy Dialogue see Aalto (2007).

⁵ This idea of legal approximation was firmly integrated into the Europeanisation process.

⁶ See Russia's Tax Code and Federal Law on Production Sharing Agreement no. 225FZ of 30 December 1995 (with changes of 7 January 1999, 6 June 2003 and 29 June 2004). See also http://www.concession.ru/

⁷ Doklad V. Khristenko na Schestom Obschem sobranii Kruglogo stola promyshlennikov Rossii I Evropeiskogo Souza. The Hague, 10 November 2004.

⁸ Globalnaya energeticheskaya bezopaznost, prinyato 16 iulya 2006 goda v Sankt-Peterburge liderami stran ‘Gruphy vosmi’.

⁹ It included Norwegian Statoil and Norsk Hydro, ChevronTexaco and ConocoPhillips of the USA and Total of France.

¹⁰ Working groups on energy balances and statistics, infrastructure and technology and investments.

¹¹ Working groups on investments, development of energy technologies, trade and energy efficiency.

¹² The EU–Russian Industrialist Round Table (IRT) Seventh General Meeting, London, 3 October 2005.