Common energy policy

 
Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia does not object to selling further energy resources to China.
“We discussed the possibility of using our national currency in bilateral settlements between Russia and China, and our energy companies raised this issue, even Gazprom. In principle, we do not object to considering the possibility of selling our energy resources for roubles,” Putin stated after the end of his official visit to China today (14 oct 09).

The Czech government, to the dismay of the eurosceptics, has indicated that the country will ratify the Lisbon Treaty in the very near future.
 

A few days ago, the Kremlin reported on the meeting between President Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Munich.

In failing to act in a unified manner, and with certain member states consistently acting only in their own best interests, Europe's relationships with Russia are being choreographed by the Kremlin. With economic relationships centring on oil and gas, Russia plays to its strengths, whilst Europe's potential strengths, its size and wealth, are thrown away as the Union languishes in disunity.

Gary Cartwright is a political scientist specialising in Energy and Environmental policy. He has extensive experience of working within the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg in a number of policy areas. His main interest is in EU - Russia relations; he is a keen advocate of a common European energy policy, based on legal instruments and inclusive of peripheral states, and has been widely published on this issue.