However he remains two bones of contention

The Russian Minister of industry and Energy Viktor Khristenko defends vigorously amendments to the Protocol on the transit of the Charter of energy, and the interpenetration of Russian and European capital in all the links in the energy sector.

What do you expect from the informal summit between the Russia and Europe in Finland

We hope that it paves the way for the formal meeting of 24 November where we expect concrete results, in the right line of the G8 St. Petersburg devoted, last July, energy security, concept key to the modern economy. Being one of the first importers of oil in the world, Europe is legitimately concerned about the security of supply, but we, main supplier of the European Union, want to remind that this security does not exist without that of the application. In the extension of the "energy dialogue" opened in Paris in 2000, we want, therefore, whether Europe wants to develop a common energy policy (while energy matters are today governed at the national level), under the aegis of the European Commission and which. There is such a new text, what is called a green paper, in which the energy strategy is the updated. I do not say that Europe must guarantee us a fixed market, but we want to know how it will adjust to changes in the market and expect that its rules are transparent. We will also talk about electricity, to synchronize the network Russian and European Energy Charter, nuclear, environment...

Are what changes you in the Charter of the energy that you have signed in 1994 but not ratified

The spirit of the Charter protects consumers, i.e. Europe countries. We are virtually the only large country provider signed the Charter, but in full knowledge of the cause, a sine qua non-being the application of a protocol annex on transit. Europeans should be aware that try to take all the risks to the producer is, in fact, increase the risk for the consumer. However he remains two bones of contention. Currently, it is up to the Union to assume the responsibilities of the Member States concerning transit. However the current European legislation is unable to secure supplies and transit, which creates for us the very substantial risks. There is also, in view of the coexistence of long-term contracts for the supply of gas, $ 230-250 the 1,000 cubic metres, and the spot market, where the price may rise to 1,100 dollars in winter, a second stone of stumbling, it is the right of first refusal. It means that the provider in a long term contract is confronted with the risk of existence of transit spot patterns. This creates an intolerable uncertainty. Imagine if you invest billions of dollars in the extraction and transport of gas infrastructure, said you: "Sorry, it does not guarantee you the conditions of transit across Europe." The regime of transit contracts must adapt to the practice of long term on the delivery of gas contracts. If we get a compromise on the transit, there is no problem to ratify the Charter.

Europe was very disturbed by the reduction in delivery of gas at the quarrel between the Russia and the Ukraine, last winter. Can what assurances of supply you make now

I want to clarify that we have never reduced the quantities delivered to Europe. It is the Ukraine, transit countries who managed to blame to others. It's too easy to accuse Russia of energy blackmail. We always have our commitment for forty years, per metre cube, ask SFM or Ruhrgas. In my opinion, European consumers and their providers fired the correct conclusion of the crisis of last winter: several exchanges of assets over the past year have contributed to a beginning of interpenetration of capital. Interdependence in the different links in the energy chain, from production to final consumption, is alone able to ensure the security, because it involves equal risks for the provider for the consumer. The dependence is mutual, not unilateral. More Russian companies will be associated with projects, with a capital of European companies, refineries, vertically-integrated in your channels, better it will be. While the mobilisation of European companies in new areas is already decided something or that will be soon.