EU Must Not Impede Russian-European Cooperation, President Medvedev Says

EU legislation and directives must not interfere with Russian-European energy supply, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said. Speaking at a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, President Medvedev said that Russia's energy situation was good and did not need to be interfered with. 

"In the energy field, everything is good and will be good, if certain directives within the EU do not interfere with the development of a full scale cooperation," he said.

Earlier this month, both he and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin criticised the EU's Third Energy Package, saying that the EU directive would force down the price of gas.

President Medvedev yesterday met with the Netherlands' Prime Minister to discuss the continuing cooperation between the two countries. 

Prime Minister Rutte said at the meeting that the country's continuing cooperation with Russia was very important to the country.

"Not only for the Netherlands but for the whole of Europe as well," President Medvedev replied.

"We are cooperating with the Netherlands very well, and, most probably, this cooperation will continue to go well, if not for some decisions that the EU may take. Let’s hope that, taking decisions which consider economy, the EU will be leaded only by business considerations, and not political ones."