By Country / Russia
Russia Calls For Common G8 Energy-Security Plan
May 17, 2006
Viktor Khristenko (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)
Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said in a statement, posted on the website of Russia's G8 chairmanship, that Russia hopes that at the St. Petersburg summit in July, G8 leaders will engage in "a serious dialogue" and "will not let the specter of the Cold War undermine common goals."
Khristenko rejected as misplaced criticism in the West that Russia is using its energy resources for political manipulation. He said Russia was seeking to end the Soviet-era policy of subsidizing energy supplies to former Soviet republics "not for political, but for economic reasons."
He said developed nations have to "follow common rules."