Issue 6: May 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, seems to be optimistic about the possibility of obtaining Russian credits to rescue the Belarusian economy. On May 17, he stated that Moscow was ready to lend Minsk $6 billion in 2011. However, the Kremlin responded by suggesting that it will only lend $1 billion and that even this amount will only be possible in combination with the sale of a number of Belarusian assets, notably a 50 percent stake in Beltransgas. Gazprom already holds a 50 percent stake in the company. READ MORE

• EGF Editorial  |  Published on EGF: 13.06.2011  |  Energy
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Issue 5: April 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

On April 25 of this year Gazprom head, Alexei Miller, predicted that the price of gas sold to European gas consumers would increase to $500 per 1,000 cubic metres by the end of 2011. This suggests a price hike of almost 40 percent as currently the average European gas price is $350 per 1,000 cubic metres. While Gazprom officials do make public references to limitations to increases in the gas price, most such comments tend to refer to Russian domestic gas prices. READ MORE

• EGF Editorial  |  Published on EGF: 01.05.2011  |  Energy
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Issue 4: March 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

The dispute between the Lithuanian Government and Gazprom continues. As we wrote in the preceding issue of the Gazprom Monitor, the dispute flared up after the Russian monopoly refused to give Vilnius the same gas price discount that it grants to the other Baltic States. Consequently, the Lithuanian side is forced to pay high gas prices. In response, Vilnius is trying to use the implementation of the Third Energy Package, in relation to the gas transport system of the country, as a lever of pressure against Gazprom. In the end this may bring about both a rupture in the agreement on the privatisation of Lietuvos dujos (37 percent of which belongs to Gazprom) and the separation of control over gas transmission pipelines from companies which own them. READ MORE

• EGF Editorial  |  Published on EGF: 29.04.2011  |  Energy
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By Hrvoje Ćiković, Expert on EU Integration, Energy Security and New Diplomacy

In recent years energy security has become not only a political buzzword but a fundamental concept in (re)shaping relations between governments within the framework of a newly emerging global energy order. Furthermore, factors such as the growing asymmetrical dependence of energy consuming states on producing states, the delicate question of transport (particularly the definition of future pipeline routes), changing trends of economic development, and geopolitical tensions tend to distort established negotiating positions and shift the balance of global power relations. In such a complicated context, it is easy to overlook developments in countries such as Poland which are not in the international spotlight. As Poland has shown resilience in avoiding recession and is becoming an important player in the international arena, it may be interesting to examine the actual dynamics and the core challenges of the country’s energy sector. READ MORE

• Hrvoje Ćiković  |  Published on EGF: 25.04.2011  |  Energy
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Issue 3: February 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

The dispute over the implementation of the EU Third Energy Package in Lithuania continues: the question of Europe’s energy security topped the agenda of the first ever EU energy summit which took place in Brussels on 4 February (2011). The summit began with a speech on the integrated EU energy market and general energy policy towards third countries. Special attention is being given to Russia and the dispute between Gazprom and the Government of Lithuania, which has arisen from plans to nationalise gas transmission pipelines belonging to Lietuvos Dujos. READ MORE

• EGF Editorial  |  Published on EGF: 17.03.2011  |  Energy
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February 2011

Key positions:

• Former Turkish Prime Minister, Necmettin Erbakan, passed away Sunday 27 February. He was 84. Erbakan, the first Islamist prime minister of the Turkish Republic, was forced to resign after only a year into his reign by the military, in what is called the first ‘post-modern coup’.

• Under the guidance of current Prime Minister Erdogan, Turkey has stayed on the sidelines throughout much of the past weeks while protests raged throughout the Middle East. Ankara is finding its new position as a dominant regional actor as having less impact than previously thought, but has been forced to act pragmatically due to the proximity of its own citizens and financial interests in the affected nations.

• Prime Minister Erdogan recently spoke in Dusseldorf, Germany, telling Turks there that while they should learn the (German) language and participate in wider culture of their new homeland; assimilation would be an affront to their human rights. The prime minister also spoke positively about Turkey’s accession to the EU, surprising some for the positive manner in which the AKP leader addressed the issue after years of European rejection.

• The Nabucco gas pipeline still appears to be up in the air as none of the participating companies have yet signed any construction agreements, while a Russian delegation has put pressure on the Brussels-EU whilst addressing its own energy security concerns. READ MORE

• EGF Editorial  |  Published on EGF: 18.03.2011  |  Energy
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Tectonic changes are occurring not only in the world financial system, trading and investment, energy, geopolitics, and technology; a fundamental transformation is also underway in the way the cities have been managed and regenerated, creating profound implications for mega-cities such as Istanbul. The global population is congregating in our cities. Eighty per cent of the world’s estimated nine billion people in 2050 are expected to live in urban areas. Our cities and urban areas face many challenges from social to health to environmental. The impacts of cities and urban areas are felt in other regions which supply cities with food, water and energy and absorb pollution and waste. However, the proximity of people, businesses and services associated with the very word ‘city’ means that there are also huge opportunities. Indeed, well designed, well managed urban settings offer a key opportunity for sustainable living.

Myriad trends indicate that the current world energy system is far from being sustainable. It will be shaped by rising demand over the long term, dominance of fossil fuels, inaccessible supplies, price volatility, inadequate investment, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. The most pressing decision facing the next generation may be how best to accelerate the transition from a fossil-fuel-based energy system to a system based on climate-friendly energy alternatives. Turkey has emerged as an important actor to reckon with as a consumer, transporter, investor, regional hub, and security provider in world energy and geopolitics. Likewise, Istanbul as a global city and gateway to the world’s major producers and consumers offers so much opportunities for energy investment, conservation, efficiency, distribution and shipment. It also faces serious energy-related challenges including from climate change, congestion, power black-outs, and local pollution. READ MORE

• Mehmet Öğütçü  |  Published on EGF: 02.02.2011  |  Energy
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Today I would like to talk about Turkey in the foreign policy of the EU. I am not going to talk about the European approach to Turkey as it is already well known – especially here in Europe; but I will talk about the position of Turkey in its region, and from the Turkish point of view.

Turkey today is perceived as one of the region’s most sucessful countries. Although it is improving its relations with the east, such as Iran, Russia, Iraq, Syria; its relations with the EU is getting closer to a deadlock.

In my speech, I would like to focus on the new Turkish foreign policy focusing on Turkey’s complicated position as a “bridge” or as a “buffer” between the East and West, namely between the European Union and the Middle East.

• Dr Deniz Altinbaz  |  Published on EGF: 29.01.2011  |  Energy
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Main Discussion Points

• The Basics of the Gulf Gas Sector


• The Basis of EU Diversification (The Context)


• Qatari Expansion into Eastern and Central Europ


• Future Challenges

• Justin Dargin  |  Published on EGF: 29.01.2011  |  Energy
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Issue 2: January 2011

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

According to export plans for 2011 revealed by Aleksei Miller, Gazprom will export more gas than in 2010, but still less than during the pre-crisis period. Gazprom plans to enter the Portuguese and Spanish markets, having arranged deliveries of gas from Africa. READ MORE

• EGF Editorial  |  Published on EGF: 29.01.2011  |  Energy
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