President of Russia Vladimir Putin (left) and European Union High Representative Javier Solana (center) during the Russia-European Union summit
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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EU Leaders in Russian Sanatorium
The Russia-European Union summit took place yesterday at the Rus sanatorium in Sochi, southern Russia. The sanatorium, built in the late-Stalinist Baroque style, was until recently the property of the YUKOS Co. Along with Russian President Vladimir Putin were Ministers of Industry and Energy Viktor Khristenko, Economic Development and Trade German Gref and Transportation Igor Levitan, as well as Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and presidential aide Sergey Yastrzhembsky. They met with Chairman of the European Commission Manuel Barroso, EU High Representative Javier Solana, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel. Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov was there to observe.
The leaders were half an hour late to the press conference. They had had dinner and a walk around the sanatorium's grounds. Solana had had a significant amount to drink and was speaking animatedly with Putin and others. Schussel shushed him. He held chairs for the ladies in the European delegation when they sat down to sign the agreement simplifying visa and readmission procedures between Russia and the EU.
“We will all remember this summit for a long time,” Putin said.
“Yes. We expected the usual routine,” Schussel added, “but what we did today…” He went on to say that everyone he had talked to for the last two weeks mentioned Putin's address to the Federal Assembly, especially the part where Putin said that the EU was Russia's most important partner. “I want everyone to hear,” he said, knowing that his wish was being fulfilled, since his speech was being transmitted live on the Euronews channel, “what I have to say today. Buying and selling oil and gas is a purely commercial activity. Both sides depend on that. Russia has been a stable and dependable partner of Europe for 40 years. And you have a dependable partner in our person, we pay in hard currency. That is convenient for everybody.” Solana looked as though he wanted to interrupt, but the chancellor was obviously not letting him get a word in edgewise.
“As for human rights,” Schussel continued, “Russia is the chairman of the Council of Europe and is aware of its responsibility.” Solana squirmed as though his chair was on fire. “And the last visit of the general secretary of the Council of Europe to Russia filled us with particular hope…”
Next up was Barroso, who briefly thanked Putin for discussing Iran with them. Then everyone looked at Solana, who was also expected to say some words. He remained silent and looked offended.
Instead, Barroso answered a question about energy dependability and made it clear that the EU leaders had no personally claims against Putin, but their society has expressed its concern about the Russian-Ukrainian gas war.
“I assure you that no has any claims to our property and we do not intend to give it away. If our partners expect to be let into the holy of holies of our economy, energy, then we expect in response in the most sensitive aspects of our cooperation,” Putin answered.
A German journalist asked Putin if he considered China an alternate energy market to Europe.
“Artificially cultured rumors about the problems in relations with Europe in the sphere of energy cause more damage to those who spread those rumors than they do to us,” he answered, looking mean. The journalist, not surprisingly, remained silent.
Putin's next outburst came when he was asked about Russia's reliability as an energy supplier. “If our partners are expecting an exclusive, we have a question. What do we receive in return? What deposits? What pipelines? If you don't have that, and you don't have that, then what can you offer?” he declaimed. The EU leaders, with the exception of Solana, nodded somberly.
Disagreement was also seen in the parties' attitude to the referendum that resulted in Montenegro's decision to secede from its union with Serbia, with Schussel repeatedly pointing out its democratic and conciliated nature and Putin talking about a single standard applicable to Transdniestria, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Then he unexpectedly returned to the subject of China and said that it was not an alternative energy market to Europe. This led to a request for commentary on U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's recent speech in Vilnius, where he sharply criticized Russian policies. That question was circumvented and the press conference ended.
Speaking to Russian journalists after the press conference, Putin mentioned the Energy Charter Treaty as a problem that remained after the summit. He said that the Europeans are talking about “Free access to our oil and gas production infrastructure and transport infrastructure. If they get that, the question arises: What do we get?”
Andrey Kolesnikov
All the Article in Russian as of May 26, 2006
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