Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised European countries for urging developing nations to reduce their reliance on oil and gas, arguing that Europe’s own economic growth was built on coal and other fossil fuels. Putin made the remarks on Tuesday at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Moscow,……
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised European countries for urging developing nations to reduce their reliance on oil and gas, arguing that Europe’s own economic growth was built on coal and other fossil fuels.
Putin made the remarks on Tuesday at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Moscow, where leaders of major gas-producing nations gathered to discuss global energy markets and cooperation.
He questioned the fairness of asking developing countries to abandon hydrocarbons without providing them with the investment and technology needed to support their economic development.
“Today’s European Union was founded as a coal and steel community. We remember that. It was on coal and hydrocarbons that the economy of today’s Europe was built,” Putin said.
According to a UAE Media, Viory, Putin argued that countries still seeking to develop their economies should be allowed to determine their energy needs rather than face restrictions on the use of fossil fuels.
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“And now that a certain level has been reached, our colleagues in Europe are telling other countries, particularly developing ones: ‘You mustn’t use hydrocarbons.’ Why shouldn’t they? What are they supposed to do? Where are they to find investment, where are they to find technology? Is that fair?” he asked.
The Russian leader also called for fairness in the global transition to cleaner energy, saying the shift towards greener energy sources should take account of the different circumstances of countries.
“Of course, this transition to a fully green agenda must be fair. How could it be otherwise?” he said.
The GECF summit, held on October 27, brings together representatives of major gas-exporting countries to discuss natural gas development, energy market trends and cooperation among producers.
Established in 2001, the GECF comprises 12 member countries: Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
Its summits have been held every two years since 2011, with discussions focused on the role of natural gas in the global economy, developments in gas markets, the exchange of expertise and technological cooperation among member states.
