Source: Pro et Contra
This article orginally appeared in Russian in "The Power of Oil and Gas" edition of the Pro et Contra journal (Volume 10, No. 2-3, 2006), published by the Carnegie Moscow Center.
The energy sector is central to the future economic security and development of both Russia and the EU and is a central element of the EU-Russia relationship. It is a dimension that is of real importance, rather than concocted political desire. It would severely undermine the energy security of both the EU and Russia if the relationship began to drift apart in the search for superficially more reliable sources. Concerns about Russia 's reliability cannot be dismissed out of hand, but problems must be more accurately pin-pointed. It is important that the rhetoric moves away from notions of mutual “dependence” on the other and producer vs. consumer relations. The relationship is a mutual one, with benefits as well as down-sides for both.
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