Russian MP On Ratification Of Treaty To Energy Charter

Russia is ready to ratify a treaty to the Energy Charter if the interests of Russian oil, gas and energy producers are observed, said deputy chairman of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) committee on energy Vladimir Medvedev in the evening of December 17 in Brussels when the session of the conference on the Energy Charter, devoted to the 10th anniversary of this forum, was over. Medvedev pointed out that cooperation in the energy sphere, stipulated in the Charter, is now more meant for the energy consumers of the European Union countries. "The energy dialogue within the framework of the Charter should reflect the balance of interests of both the consumers and producers of oil, gas and energy," stressed the Russian parliamentarian. Medvedev believes that the treaty to the Energy Charter should guarantee not only the European energy safety but also the realisation by Russian producers of long-term gas, oil and energy deliveries to Europe, for which Europeans' investments in the development of Russian deposits is necessary. "Russia awaits a constructive and professional dialogue from the Energy Charter, which would be mainly based on pragmatism rather than on politics," Medvedev concluded.