LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Summer 2007

by Jerzy Buzek

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Sir,
John Roberts wonders whether European and Turkish energy interests may be converging, following recent Russian policy developments. I think that relations between the EU and Turkey have been long-standing and intensive enough to guarantee alignment on most issues of importance, including energy. This is simply part of Turkey’s broader commitment to achieving full EU membership.

Their parallel perspectives also explain why Turkey and the EU may soon face similar problems when dealing with third countries where democracy, human rights and the rule of law are not inviolable. In the short term, economic cooperation with such states need not be problematic. But, only a stable political climate can provide the right conditions to build long-term economic relationships. Unfortunately such political stability has yet to be created in Russia and, most worrying of all, there is no sign that this is going to change in the foreseeable future.

The Russian gas export saga that began in early 2006 when Russia’s Gazprom turned off the taps to Ukraine, provided the world with a salutary example of the way that politics can impact on energy policies in an unstable region. Millions of citizens watched as the argument between the two countries unfolded live on television. It was a crisis that brought home to the general public the problems of energy insecurity and the need to diversify energy sources. It also triggered a long overdue debate in the EU on the need to create a common external energy policy. This was a positive outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian standoff which I believe will help the EU to "speak with one voice" in future.

It is too soon to say whether the EU has found this united voice, or whether international divisions over energy policy will remain restricted to countries of the ex-Soviet Union. Concerns within the EU, however, have been amply illustrated by recent Swedish and Finnish reactions to the proposed Nord Stream gas pipeline to link Russia and the EU via the Baltic Sea. Considering all the economic, environmental and political controversies surrounding the project, it would be hard to argue that this undersea pipeline is of “common” benefit to the EU. In contrast, the Yamal II pipeline between West Siberia and Poland, which was first proposed in the 1990s and has already seen significant investment, would be a far better solution for Europe.

Despite such disagreements, it remains essential for the European Union to find both a common approach over energy and a united policy towards Russia; EU actions must be consistent and unambiguous. Given Ankara’s EU ambitions and the importance of Turkey as an energy transit route, it would be very positive if Turkey could contribute to this process.