The world’s leading gas exporters are urging European consumer countries not to hamper the development of gas infrastructure with what they see as punitive regulations.
The EU's third energy package – as it's known – is among the issues to be discussed at the summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. The EU directive requires the separation of production, transportation and sales.Russia's energy minister Sergey Shmatko says the Russian delegation feels Europe's Third Energy Package was initiated against Russian suppliers in order to manipulate prices for Russian gas."At the previous meeting following Russia's initiative the Gas Exporting Countries Forum expressed in its statement concern over the restrictions imposed by the Third Energy Package," the Russian minister said.Shmatko added gas consumers should support the suppliers to maintain sustainable gas deliveries.“The conditions of the third energy package mostly target pipeline gas. That’s why we think the package is against Russia, against increasing supplies from our country. So we will always maintain a principled position. As for the other exporters, such as Qatar, Algeria and Iran, they all say that the countries consuming gas should not hamper but help producers create an infrastructure to ensure deliveries. Our task is to ensure a normal stable floor for gas exporting countries in these uneasy times."Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said the law could hinder the country's energy cooperation with Europe.