The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-01-11

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Ukraine also Signs the Deal

Following Russia, Ukraine also signed a deal on the EU-led monitoring of Russian gas transit to Europe via Ukraine, putting an end to the worst gas crisis the EU had ever come across. Monitors from the EU, Ukraine and Russia should go down to work in the hours to come, clearing the way for the resumption of Russian natural gas supplies to Europe. "We have signed the protocol," said Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko after her talks with her Czech counterpart Mirek Topolanek, whose country has taken over the rotating EU Presidency. The deal to monitor Russian gas shipments through Ukraine had already been signed by Russia, during the meeting held between the Czech Prime Minister and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin argued gas supplies would resume once the deal was signed and monitors were in place. He warned, though, that the flow of gas would be halted, in case Ukraine started siphoning off gas.

What is left now after the signing of the agreement is the deployment of the international monitors in key-positions both in Russia and Ukraine.

Their deployment was a matter of time, Mirek Topolanek said.

The EU was forced to seek other energy suppliers, after Russia and Ukraine lost face, read Sunday the Russian Press. "Ukraine has ran out of natural gas, Russia has halted supply and they both have lost their credibility towards a freezing Europe," read Vedemosti paper.

Although Moscow and Kiev agreed to allow EU-led monitors to supervise gas supplies through Ukraine, Europe's dependency could not go unanswered, continued the Russian Press.

"It is more than likely that the EU will look for new energy sources that would be not connected to Russia and Ukraine," stressed Vedemosti.

According to Kommersant paper, the gas crisis turned into a propaganda war that would push Europe to seek it energy independence from Russia.

"Following that crisis, Russia is likely to face a shared energy policy of the EU that will prevent Moscow from maneuvering, taking advantage of the disagreements among the EU nations."

News item: 17573

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