Poetin verhoogt energie leverantie Azië (en)

Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he aims at directing 30 percent of Russia's energy exports to Asia in the near future, in remarks likely to raise EU concerns that Moscow will shift oil and gas supplies away from Europe.

Talking to foreign academics and journalists on Saturday (9 September), Mr Putin reiterated plans to boost energy exports fast-growing Asia, with the EU currently being Moscow's largest energy client.

"As for energy, today only 3 per cent of our exports are accounted for by Asian countries. But in 10-15 years from now that region will account for 30 per cent of our exports in the oil and gas portfolio," he said according to press reports.

The EU currently imports around a quarter of its gas and oil from Russia, with a Russian gas supply cut in January dramatically exposing the union's energy reliance on Moscow's goodwill.

As a response, a June EU policy paper stressed the need for "diversifying geographical origin and transit routes", promoting energy supply routes which largely bypass Russia.

Asked whether Russia is an energy "superpower," Mr Putin said "I would prefer to abandon the terminology of the past. Superpower is something which we used during the cold war time. Why use it now?"

"I have never stated Russia is an energy superpower but we have more reserves than almost anybody else. We have always behaved and we will continue to behave in a responsible way."

Russia's state-owned Gazprom in January temporarily cut gas supplies to Ukraine, after Kiev refused to pay higher, market-based prices for its gas.

The move, which was seen in some EU capitals as Russian revenge for Ukraine's pro-western Orange revolution, saw gas supplies particularly to the EU's new member states dropping sharply as a result of the crisis.

Mr Putin, however, defended Moscow's stance stating "Our European and American partners decided to support the Orange Revolution_It's is kind of shocking, problematic_If you started it, then go ahead and pay _You want the long term political benefits but you want us to pay."

Mr Putin said that Moscow had lost $5 billion a year over 15 years supplying below- market price gas to Kiev, adding that "thank God" a deal on the gas prices between Kiev and Moscow was signed earlier this year.

The EU as a strong state

Meanwhile, the Russian leader also said he is unhappy with the EU being a divided interlocutor on the world stage.

"We are interested in Europe being a strong state_It's not easy for us to maintain dialogue with the EU if there are no clear cut structures or if Europe is in a transition or transformation phase when every few months a president or chairman is changed_"

"We are not going to manipulate or engage in some manipulations inside the EU. And what's more if the European states speak with a single voice in my opinion it will create favourable conditions for the development of international relations..."

The EU is hoping to start negotiations covering future strategic relations with Russia in November, aiming to achieve an overall deal which also includes energy.