The press conference at the end of the EU-Russia summit in Brussels last Friday showed the usual dispute between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
It was a rerun of a similar dispute between the two men last year about the EU’s 3rd Energy Package. In what is called its “Gazpromclause”, Russia must sell off its gas distribution assets in Europe. Putin said that the Package is a violation of article 34 of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, an EU-Russia treaty, and is aiming to confiscate Russian investment in some EU countries. The EU President reacted somewhat emotionally that Russian companies are welcome in the EU market, but they have to fully respect the EU rules. A smiling Putin answered that ‘my good old friend Barroso knows he is wrong. Please look at our agreement, article 34. Please read it’. Apparently that was too much for Barroso who didn’t want to go in ‘details’…
Human rights caused also friction. The Sergei Magnitsky affair was mentioned by the EU side. Putin ignored this and instead he accused the EU of mistreatment of Russian speaking citizens of the Baltic states and of doing nothing to stop right-wing politicians in that region from glorifying Nazi’s. Other subjects that caused friction were EU visas for Russians, Cyprus‘s bailout (Putin offered the EU a hand!) and Syria.
But don’t worry, the two Presidents left the press briefing smiling, with Barroso patting Putin on the back. May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
By: N. Peter Kramer
