Merkel: EU could revise energy partnership with Russia

The European Union has substantial reasons to continue its energy partnership with Russia despite the conflict in Ukraine, but the situation could change should Moscow keep holding its position on Ukrainian developments, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday.
“In the mid and long term, the necessity may arise to revise the energy cooperation with the Russian Federation,” Merkel said in Berlin speaking at a press conference after talks with Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb.
She stressed that “our goal is not to completely get rid of interdependence” and added that energy cooperation is in the interests of both the EU and Russia.

The German chancellor said Germany and Finland are united in the viewpoint that it is important to keep pressuring Russia. She said she sees no reason to ease sanctions the EU imposed on Moscow in light of the events in Ukraine yet.

“We are unfortunately very far from that,” Merkel said, adding that the truce needs to be observed and free elections monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe [OSCE] should be held.

Stubb, in turn, said his government will not request NATO membership at a time when Ukraine is in crisis..................http://en.itar-tass.com/world/751923
30/9/14
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• Δεν υπάρχει περιθώριο χαλάρωσης των κυρώσεων κατά της Ρωσίας (Angela Merkel)