euro|topics - Cold wave in the East

Główny temat z dnia Środa, 7. Styczeń 2009

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Cold wave in the East

The ongoing gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine is hitting the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe particularly hard. With the onset of icy temperatures the Eastern European press harshly criticises the continued dependence on Russia.

Sme - Słowacja

Slovakia, which is entirely dependent on Russian gas supplies, has declared a gas emergency. The country's reserves will last for just 10 more days. The liberal daily Sme gives Moscow and Kiev an equal share of the blame for the crisis. "Ukraine is turning the countries west of its borders into hostages. And so is Russia. [The gas company] Gazprom is not particularly interested in being seen as a serious exporter. But Europe has no alternative. Can Europe, which has been taken hostage from two sides, do more than insist that gas deliveries be resumed as quickly as possible? No. This dependency on the Kremlin and Kiev is humiliating." (07/01/2009)

Postimees - Estonia

The daily Postimees notes the difference between the status of gas in Western and Eastern Europe and comments that this has prompted different reactions in the East and West: "The gas dispute does not bode well for the countries to the east of the EU, for it reminds them once more of their dependence on Moscow. Bulgaria, for example, receives 100 percent of its gas supplies from Russia and has now had to inform its citizens that owing to the interruption its reserves are now almost exhausted. But ultimately all those countries, from Poland to Greece, that are supplied via Ukraine are affected. It would take time to reduce this dependence and this is what separates the new Europe from the old one. While the old EU states are calling on Eastern Europe to face up to their dependence on Russia, the new members call on the EU to close ranks with them and present a united front against Russia." (07/01/2009)

Rzeczpospolita - Polska

The conservative daily Rzeczpospolita criticises the lack of a common European energy policy. "Russia has declared a gas war on the West and is testing how far it can blackmail other countries with its raw materials. ... In times of crisis the EU member states usually remember their partners - according to the motto 'every man for himself'. German chancellor Angela Merkel is now wondering how she can secure gas supplies for German customers, not how she can help Bulgaria. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk is worried about our gas reserves, not about whether kitchen stoves are functioning in [the Slovakian capital] Bratislava. For sure, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has called for the resumption of gas supplies from the East in the name of the EU. But a single declaration is a far cry from a common energy policy." (07/01/2009)

Delo - Słowenia

The gas dispute has once again shown how much power Russia wields thanks to its gas reserves, the daily Delo writes: "On the one hand Russia is making it difficult for Ukraine to free itself from its former mother country (for instance by joining Nato or working closer with the EU). On the other hand Russia has made it clear to Europe that it can only count on reliable gas supplies if it leaves Russia in peace. ... The EU knows this but has not been particularly skilled in its attempts to break this vicious circle." The paper adds that the different EU states are using different cards in the gas supply game: "In such a situation it is impossible to execute a concerted energy policy within the Union. This is also why it's clear who holds all the trumps and will use them to his own advantage if necessary - for example when temperatures plunge to minus 10 degrees Celsius outside." (07/01/2009)

Revista 22 - Rumunia

The weekly newspaper Revista 22 writes that the energy company Gazprom is seeking to press ahead with the construction of the planned North Stream pipeline, which is to deliver Russian gas directly to Germany. The project is currently on ice over ecological concerns. "The gas crisis, by contrast, should highlight the dependence of numerous EU countries on Russian gas, and heighten fears that supplies through Ukraine could be disrupted. The only way to ensure the security of European consumers is to bypass this moody Russian neighbour. And what better way to bypass Ukraine than over the Baltic? With the Ukranian conflict Gazprom is consequently seeking to strengthen its position in the discussion over the future of the North Stream pipeline." (07/01/2009)

Magyar Nemzet - Węgry

The conservative daily Magyar Nemzet fears that Ukraine could end up as the big loser of the gas dispute. "Ukraine needs to grasp the following: It can't open up to the West on the one hand and continue to hang on Russia's apron strings - as it did in Soviet days - at the same time. ... For its part Europe can't simply abandon Ukraine, which is on the brink of ruin, to its fate. But it is becoming increasingly clear to the EU that in order to secure its energy supplies, in addition to the planned Nabucco pipeline it also needs the Russian North Stream and South Stream pipelines currently under construction. Kiev is therefore taking a great risk: If the plans for these [pipelines] go ahead, it will not only lose import transit revenues, it is also likely to lose the active support of its big brother, the United States." (07/01/2009)

» Cały przegląd prasy z dnia Środa, 7. Styczeń 2009

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Cold wave in the East

Sme - Słowacja

Postimees - Estonia

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Delo - Słowenia

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Cold wave in the East

Sme - Słowacja

Postimees - Estonia

Rzeczpospolita - Polska

Delo - Słowenia

Revista 22 - Rumunia

Magyar Nemzet - Węgry

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