Press Release: EU and Russia restructure their energy dialogue with three new working groups

Russian Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko and Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs have agreed on restructuring the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue thematic groups. This was discussed and confirmed at the bilateral meeting that top energy officials of the EU and the Russian Federation held on 26 April 2007 to evaluate latest developments in bilateral energy relations. The new groups will address such issues as (i) Energy strategies, Forecasts and Scenarios, (ii) Market Developments and (iii) Energy efficiency. "Since 2000, the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue has been a constructive forum for developing energy cooperation which benefits both parties. I expect the new working groups will start working as soon as June 2007 and provide a significant contribution in order to deepen our energy relationship", Commissioner Piebalgs said.