President to propose coal, nuclear, alternatives to Russian oil at EU energy summit

Ahead of an informal EU summit on energy policy the Czech President Vaclav Klaus voiced strong words on EU dependence on Russian oil and natural gas, suggesting the EU should rethink its current energy policy. Currently one quarter of the EU's oil and natural gas come from Russia. According to Mr Klaus, if the EU is to strengthen its hand it will have to rely more on its own coal sources as well as nuclear energy. EU representatives have begun meeting at the informal summit in Finland, but Mr Klaus said he found it unlikely that the union would be able to agree on a joint position before welcoming Russia's President Vladimir Putin later on Friday.

Author: Jan Velinger