EU furious at Putin’s defiance on Belarus oil

Vladimir Putin faced an angry European backlash about his decision to halt oil supplies through the pipelines crossing Belarus, January 2007.

Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology and Chairman of the EU Council of Ministers said: 'I view the closure of the important Druzhba Pipeline with concern. I expect supplies through the pipeline to be fully resumed as quickly as possible. I welcome the convening of the Oil Supply Group by EU Commissioner Piebalgs. The German Presidency of the European Council will work vigorously to ensure that the restriction on the oil deliveries does not cause bottlenecks in the supply of European companies and consumers. I call on the Russian and Belarusian agencies to fulfil their delivery and transit commitments...'

Germany: EU Presidency: Press Release, 9.1.07: German Economics Minister Glos on the closure of the Druzhba pipeline http://www.eu2007.de/en/News/Press_Releases/January/0108_BMWi_Oelbelarus.html

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 13.1.07: Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes the agreement between Russia and Belarus on oil transit http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/declarations/92392.pdf

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