In praise of nukes

10 Jan 2007 By Hugo Dixon

Russia s decision to halt oil supplies through Belarus is the latest example of how dangerously dependent Europe has become on Moscow. German politicians have been particularly foolish in winding down nuclear power. By contrast, the French have been farsighted.

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Angela Merkel denounced Vladimir Putin's plans to stop oil supplies travelling through Belarus on Tuesday, labelling them as "not acceptable". The German chancellor noted that even during the cold war Russia was a reliable energy partner. Merkel also voiced concerns over Germany's phaseout of nuclear power, warning that the country may become dependent on a single energy source. In November 2005 Merkel agreed to a contract between the SPD and the Christian Democratic Union which stated that the nuclear phaseout could not be amended. Merkel is due to meet with Putin in Moscow on January 21st.

Elsewhere EC president Jose Manuel Barroso argued that the Russian oil pipe shutdown added urgency to the need for a common European energy policy.

On Monday Belarus halted supplies of Russian oil travelling across the country. The move, which affects supplies into Europe, comes after Russia put a $180 export duty on the crude oil it sells to Belarus. Belarus now demands an export duty of $45 per tonne on Russian oil it carries.

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