European Commission declines all Russia’s proposals on third energy package – Shmatko

Russian talks on the third energy package with the European Commission have come to a stalemate, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Shmatko said at the Sixth International Energy Week.

The decision will not affect Russia’s energy obligations, long-term contracts, payments and prices.

Shmatko said that Russia is forced to change its plans and speed up the eastern side of its energy activity. The third energy package of the EU was formed in 2009. All EU states were to pass it by March 2011, but most of them were reluctant.

The third energy package consists of six legislative acts limiting vertically integrated companies, such as Gazprom. The package says companies selling gas should not own transporting networks. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in mid-October that the passing of the third energy package would cause gas problems for Europe.