Saakashvili said the recent Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute should serve as a lesson to the EU to look for different energy suppliers. (official site)
9 January 2006 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili today accused Moscow of using its energy wealth to pressure its former Soviet neighbors.
In an editorial printed in today's edition of the "Washington Post," Saakashvili urges the European Union to draw the lesson of a recent Russian-Ukrainian gas price dispute.
He says he believes "it is critical that the EU move to diversify its energy sources and develop new transportation routes for its supplies."
Earlier this month, Russia briefly decreased gas supplies to Ukraine after negotiators failed to resolve the price dispute.
The move caused shortfalls in Europe, which gets one-fifth of its supplies from Russia via Ukraine. Both parties eventually reached an agreement last week.
Saakashvili in his editorial does not mention the Russian-Ukrainian deal. Nor does he mention a similar agreement reached between Georgia and Russia last month.
("Washington Post")
He says he believes "it is critical that the EU move to diversify its energy sources and develop new transportation routes for its supplies."
Earlier this month, Russia briefly decreased gas supplies to Ukraine after negotiators failed to resolve the price dispute.
The move caused shortfalls in Europe, which gets one-fifth of its supplies from Russia via Ukraine. Both parties eventually reached an agreement last week.
Saakashvili in his editorial does not mention the Russian-Ukrainian deal. Nor does he mention a similar agreement reached between Georgia and Russia last month.
("Washington Post")