Russia finds retroactive application of Third Energy Package unacceptable - Putin
ST. PETERSBURG. June 4 (Interfax) - Russia finds unacceptable the application of provisions of the Third Energy Package to contracts signed before its enforcement, President Vladimir Putin has said at a press conference following the Russia-EU summit.
"We expressed our concern about the Third Energy Package and hope that we will be able to settle these problems through talks. We find it unacceptable that the document is retroactively applied to contracts signed earlier," he said.
European Commission President Manuel Barroso in turn said that the Third Energy Package is legislation that has to do with all member-states, is not discriminatory and fully complies with international law. The market is becoming increasingly liberalized, which will lead to a higher competitiveness and transparency, and remove barriers hampering operators' work, he said.
Russian companies are welcome on the European energy market, he also said. Europe is always ready to discuss concerns that may arise in EU member-states with Russia and other partners, he added.
Barroso said the Third Energy Package was discussed at the summit, although there was no complete agreement on it, but both sides want to continue the consultations.