WROCLAW, Poland, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Deeper ties with Ukraine and a "constructive relationship" with Russia as part of a strengthened EU foreign energy policy should prevent a repeat of the 2009 gas crisis that disrupted supply, European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said on Tuesday.
He was speaking after two days of informal energy minister talks hosted by the Polish European Union presidency that focused on external energy policy and developing Europe-wide energy infrastructure.
"We have a really constructive relationship with Russia," Oettinger told Reuters.
"There is no reason to be worried at the moment," he said further, adding the Russian government had an interest in fulfilling its gas supply contracts.
Oettinger said Europe was deepening ties not only with Russia, but with Ukraine. Ukraine is not a member of the 27-nation EU, but Ukraine’s Energy Minister Yuri Boiko attended this week’s talks in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland.
"We have a deeper and deeper relationship with Ukraine," said Oettinger, adding the European Union was analysing the country’s pipelines with a view to their renovation.
An upsurge in tension between Ukraine and Russia has revived memories of the gas disruption to European Union countries during peak winter demand in early 2009 because of a pricing dispute between the transit state and the major gas producer.
EU minds have been further focused on security of supply by the energy shortfall left by Germany’s decision to abandon nuclear power following Japan’s nuclear disaster.
Member countries have said Germany’s unilateral decision has left the wider European Union exposed to the consequences as it increases the strain on other supplies and risks driving up carbon emissions as fossil fuels provide the only immediately available alternative.
It also potentially increases Russia’s negotiating position in the event of any disagreement.
Oettinger has been associated with European Commission ambitions to increase its powers.
A draft document obtained by Reuters on "engaging with partners beyond our borders" showed proposals to increase the commission’s mandate to be involved in energy negotiations between member countries and those outside the bloc.
Analysts have interpreted that as an attempt to prevent cosy bilateral ties between big gas consumers, such as Germany and Italy, and supplier Russia.
At this week’s talks, however, Oettinger and energy ministers were quick to state the right of individual nations to decide on their own energy mix, while emphasising the need for communication with the rest of the bloc.
"We know that the energy mix is a matter for the competence of national parliaments. A decision in favour or against nuclear power is a decision for the member state alone. This will be totally respected and always has been," Oettinger told reporters.
"Once Germany has concluded its abandoning of nuclear power, there will be a five percent shortfall of electricity production. We wish to coordinate therefore to ensure that we continue to have sufficient capacity."
