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EU bids to defuse Russia oil row EU bids to defuse Russia oil row
(40 minutes later)
The European Union (EU) is to hold talks with Russia and Belarus in a bid to resolve a row which has led to a cut in oil supplies to much of Europe. The European Union (EU) is to hold talks with Russia and Belarus, in a bid to resolve a row which has led to a cut in oil supplies to much of Europe.
The EU was dragged into the energy dispute when Moscow cut off a pipeline, accusing Belarus of stealing its oil.The EU was dragged into the energy dispute when Moscow cut off a pipeline, accusing Belarus of stealing its oil.
Belarus has been in dispute with Russia over the price of Russian oil and gas.Belarus has been in dispute with Russia over the price of Russian oil and gas.
Minsk says Russia has not been paying a transit tax for moving oil through Belarus, imposed after Russia doubled the price it charges Belarus for gas.Minsk says Russia has not been paying a transit tax for moving oil through Belarus, imposed after Russia doubled the price it charges Belarus for gas.
On Sunday, Belarus began legal action against Russian state pipeline operator Transneft for failure to pay the new oil shipment tax.On Sunday, Belarus began legal action against Russian state pipeline operator Transneft for failure to pay the new oil shipment tax.
The Russian firm has so far refused to pay the taxes as it claims the charges are illegal.The Russian firm has so far refused to pay the taxes as it claims the charges are illegal.
But Transneft said it severed supplies through the Druzhba pipeline - halting supplies to Poland, Germany and Ukraine - as Belarus had been siphoning off oil as payment in kind for the duties.But Transneft said it severed supplies through the Druzhba pipeline - halting supplies to Poland, Germany and Ukraine - as Belarus had been siphoning off oil as payment in kind for the duties.
Separately, Azerbaijan has suspended oil exports to Russia following a pricing dispute with Russian state-backed gas giant Gazprom.Separately, Azerbaijan has suspended oil exports to Russia following a pricing dispute with Russian state-backed gas giant Gazprom.
Supply issuesSupply issues
Despite the disruption to the Druzhba pipeline, neither Germany nor Poland is in any immediate danger of experiencing oil shortages as both maintain substantial reserves.Despite the disruption to the Druzhba pipeline, neither Germany nor Poland is in any immediate danger of experiencing oil shortages as both maintain substantial reserves.
But BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker says the suspension is an uncomfortable reminder to Europe of the large and growing role that Russia has in meeting its energy needs.But BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker says the suspension is an uncomfortable reminder to Europe of the large and growing role that Russia has in meeting its energy needs.
Transneft said it had been forced to cut of supplies through BelarusPoland's Deputy Economy Minister Piotr Nalmski said his country had enough oil reserves for 80 days, but he attacked the decision to halt exports.Transneft said it had been forced to cut of supplies through BelarusPoland's Deputy Economy Minister Piotr Nalmski said his country had enough oil reserves for 80 days, but he attacked the decision to halt exports.
"This shows us once again that arguments among various countries of the former Soviet Union, between suppliers and transit countries, mean that these deliveries are unreliable," he told the BBC."This shows us once again that arguments among various countries of the former Soviet Union, between suppliers and transit countries, mean that these deliveries are unreliable," he told the BBC.
Last year, deliveries of Russian natural gas to much of Western Europe were disrupted during a dispute over pricing between Russia and Ukraine.Last year, deliveries of Russian natural gas to much of Western Europe were disrupted during a dispute over pricing between Russia and Ukraine.
The European Union is set to discuss energy supply issues as part of a meeting on climate change and energy policy scheduled for Wednesday.The European Union is set to discuss energy supply issues as part of a meeting on climate change and energy policy scheduled for Wednesday.
European concernEuropean concern
The European Commission said it was investigating whether the Russian move would have an impact on another branch of the pipeline, which runs to Slovakia and south-east Europe.The European Commission said it was investigating whether the Russian move would have an impact on another branch of the pipeline, which runs to Slovakia and south-east Europe.
European oil supplies are not thought to be in immediate danger"I have also contacted our Russian and Belarusian authorities calling on them to provide an urgent and detailed explanation of the causes of this disruption," said European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.European oil supplies are not thought to be in immediate danger"I have also contacted our Russian and Belarusian authorities calling on them to provide an urgent and detailed explanation of the causes of this disruption," said European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
Commission officials plan to look at whether European Union members will have to draw on strategic stockpiles to ensure their supplies, he added.Commission officials plan to look at whether European Union members will have to draw on strategic stockpiles to ensure their supplies, he added.
German Economy Minister Michael Glos said he viewed the pipeline closure with concern and called on Russia and Belarus to meet their energy transit and delivery responsibilities "as soon as possible".German Economy Minister Michael Glos said he viewed the pipeline closure with concern and called on Russia and Belarus to meet their energy transit and delivery responsibilities "as soon as possible".
The decision to shut down the Druzhba pipeline is the latest twist in an energy row between Belarus and Moscow that began when Russian energy giant Gazprom forced Belarus to accept a huge increase in the price of Russian gas.The decision to shut down the Druzhba pipeline is the latest twist in an energy row between Belarus and Moscow that began when Russian energy giant Gazprom forced Belarus to accept a huge increase in the price of Russian gas.
Last week, Belarus said it would charge Russia $45 (£23) per tonne of oil that passed through its country.Last week, Belarus said it would charge Russia $45 (£23) per tonne of oil that passed through its country.