An annual international Conference «Russia-EU Energy Dialogue: Gas Aspect» organised by the Russian Gas Society and the European Gas Industry Union (Eurogas) took place in Brussels on May 14, 2014. President of the RGS, Vice-President of the Energy Committee of the State Duma of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Mr. P.Zavalny, President of Eurogas, Vice-Chairman and President of GDF SUEZ Mr. J.-F.Сirelli, Secretary General of Eurogas Mrs. B.Raabe, representatives of the Ministry of Energy of Russia, major energy companies of Europe, scientific and diplomatic circles took part in the event.
Participants of the Conference highlighted the interdependence of Russia and the EU in the energy sphere and the necessity to encourage in every possible way the development and strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation in this area. The role of the already existing gas pipeline «North Stream» and of «South Stream» which is currently under construction in enhancing EU energy security was underlined. The Russian side pointed out such element of ensuring energy security as quality of political relations between Russia and the EU and in this context urged the European Union to de-escalate political rhetoric in connection with the crisis in Ukraine. Other issues of mutual interest regarding cooperation in the gas sphere were discussed.
An RGS-Eurogas Joint Statement was adopted as an outcome of the Conference.
