Russia appeals to Rome

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Россия взывает к Риму

At that time, as Russian-German economic axis has been growing around the project of doubling of the gas pipeline “Nord stream-2” which increases the risk of isolation the position of Italy in Europe and in relations with Moscow. Berlin and Moscow are progressing in implementing their plans, confirmed to Bloomberg the European Commissioner for energy Maros, Sefcovic (Maros Sefcovic): “First they said that “Nord stream-2″ — is a commercial project, but do not recall other commercial projects that had been discussed so intensively and at such a high level.” Despite resistance from the Eastern countries of the European Union, Gazprom maneuvers to create the necessary diplomatic consensus for pipe expand, that’s why Sefcovic found it necessary to raise an alarm.

According to diplomatic sources, approached by the newspaper, Russian President Vladimir Putin to “Nord stream-2” from Austrian President Heinz Fischer during his recent visit to Vienna. And the fact that the head of “Gazprom” Alexey Miller did not want to comment on the results of negotiations with Austrian colleagues, can serve as proof of that. The consequences of this move will inevitably weaken, directly or indirectly, the position of Italy in the relations with Moscow on energy issues. Despite the signing in Rome of the Memorandum of understanding between the Italian company “Edison”, the Greek “DEPA” and “Gazprom” on gas pipeline project “Poseidon”, Russia still speaks of the intention to continue to guarantee the supply of gas. As said by Russian energy Minister Alexander Novak, Italy has not yet identified the strategic, industrial conditions for the implementation of the project, but have not declared the rejection of the proposal of the Kremlin.

In recent months in the Russian economic circles increased irritation to the lack of active position of Italy. It’s not just in the “Nord stream”. Eni is stuck in the system of sanctions and Saipem failed to secure any compensatory measures after cancellation billion contract for the construction of “South stream” and other Italian government colossi also reconsider their priorities. International company Enel, it seems, are willing to part with their largest power plant in Russia, Reftinskaya, having recorded losses on the Russian market in the amount of 705 million dollars. Finmeccanica, with the pump running joint venture between Alenia Aermacchi and the Russian Sukhoi Bureau for the construction and development of the Superjet 100, has significantly reduced its presence (from 25 to 5%). The signal of the final withdrawal of the Russian market? In General, the risk is that at the upcoming St. Petersburg economic forum in June, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is little that will be able to offer Putin in terms of economic cooperation in the absence of more aggressive commercial strategy, according to some representatives of the Italian business community in Moscow.

Meanwhile, in connection with the visit to Italy of Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, who arrived accompanied by the Minister of energy Alexander Novak, the case was moved from a dead point. For the first time in four years, met Council on economic, industrial and financial cooperation. The Russian side did not fail in this regard clearly Express their expectations for the project “Poseidon”: “We look forward to providing Italian partners actively promote the implementation of the project on construction of the gas transportation infrastructure needed for gas supplies from the Russian coast of the Black sea to Italy”, — said Mr. Novak in an interview to the Italian news Agency Ansa. The interest of Snam in the purchase of the German company Thyssengas (German gas pipeline network with a length of 4.2 km) may be the first step towards the East, towards the “Nord stream-2”, and eventually, towards Moscow.

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