EU threatens legal actions over Russian-Ukrainian gas transit dispute
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Exasperated by the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit dispute that has cut energy supplies to EU and other European states, the EU Commission is considering legal actions against both Moscow and Kiev for failing to honor their gas obligations to energy users on the continent.
The legal option was voiced by EU President Jose Manuel Barroso during his traditional speech to the European Parliament that is usually dedicated to the beginning of the new Presidency of the EU Council. “If the agreement sponsored by the EU is not honored as a matter of urgency, I will advise European companies to take this matter to the courts and call on Member States to engage in concerted action to find alternative ways of energy supply and transit,” he said. “So we will see very soon whether this is a technical hitch or whether there is no political intention to honor the agreement.”
Barroso also noted that the regular standoffs between Russian and Ukrainian energy companies that also frequently disrupt energy supplies to EU states are raising questions about the reliability of Moscow and Kiev as core energy suppliers to the EU and the continent in general. “And, if I can just spell this out. If the agreement sponsored by the EU is not honored, it means that Russia and Ukraine can no longer be considered reliable partners for the EU in matters of energy supply,” he said. The president also noted that the current situation calls for taking urgent measures to ensuring energy security on the continent.
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