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G8 leaders consider energy security issue crucial for summit


MOSCOW, July 11 (Itar-Tass) - The leaders of Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan believe the energy security issues proposed by Russia for discussion at the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg are the most important.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in an exclusive interview to Itar-Tass that the themes proposed by Russia “present urgent tasks for the international community in the modern conditions.” He said, “I intend to take an active part in the discussion on these matters so that this year’s summit yield considerable results.”

According to Koizumi, Japan for its part “gives major attention to energy security issues, in particular, such aspects as ensuring stable energy supply and creating the investment climate, including reduction of the volume of waste and its recycling.”

It is necessary to attain the goal of “increasing energy efficiency by means of technology improvement, diversification of energy sources, including nuclear, fighting climate changes by means of total stop of deforestation and implementation of the mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed the hope that the talks will be held in a good atmosphere and Russia and Germany “will develop a good dialogue on problems of energy and use of nuclear power.” She stressed in an interview to Itar-Tass, “Russian-German cooperation in the energy supply sphere is successfully developing and it will grow also in the future.”

Speaking about energy cooperation with Russia Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi pointed out, “The Russian Federation is a major supplier of energy resources for my country.” According to Prodi, “We depend on Russia in the sphere of heating of apartments and supply of energy for our factories.” The Italian prime minister told Itar-Tass the forthcoming summit “will be devoted specifically to energy issues, it is clear, as the meeting will be held in Russia.” Prodi stressed, “Italy undoubtedly should give attention to this issue.”

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said issues of energy and energy security are of major importance on the agenda of the forthcoming G8 meeting. Canada and Russia occupy unique positions among the G8 member states being the only countries exporting energy resources. This position ensures the two countries influence in the world and serves common interests, Harper told Itar-Tass in an interview.

The Group of Eight summits, said Harper, have not always promoted considerable progress on the discussed problems, however they are known for helping to establish working relations between the leaders of the countries, the Canadian prime minister stressed.

Expert opinion

Halter Marek

02.12.06

Halter Marek
Le College de France
Olivier Giscard d’Estaing

02.12.06

Olivier Giscard d’Estaing
COPAM, France
Mika Ohbayashi

02.12.06

Mika Ohbayashi
Institute for Sustainable Energy Poliñy
Bill Pace

02.12.06

Bill Pace
World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
Peter I. Hajnal

01.12.06

Peter I. Hajnal
Toronto University, G8 Research Group


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