Russian and Italian leaders said on Tuesday their countries will
open energy markets to each other's investors.
Following talks in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin
and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi agreed on access by Russian
energy companies to the Italian market in exchange for access by
Italian companies to oil and gas extraction in Russia.
"In fact, we are implementing the Energy Charter's supplementary
protocol without formally ratifying the document in parliament,"
Putin was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.
Despite European pressure, Russia has not ratified the Energy
Charter, a document that would require it to open its export
pipeline network and other energy assets to foreign investors.
Prodi said Italy and Russia have opened "a new phase of energy
cooperation."
"We no longer have the relations of a seller and a buyer. Russia
will be present on the Italian market in the production of electric
power," the Italian leader said.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of an agreement
between Russian aircraft maker Sukhoi and Italian aerospace and
defense company Finmeccanica on cooperation in a civilian aircraft
project.
(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2006)
