国际英语新闻：Medvedev says Moscow gas summit useful

MOSCOW, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday that the Moscow summit aimed at ending the gas dispute between Moscow and Kiev is useful.

    Medvedev told a press conference following the summit that he wanted Russian gas supplies to Europe to resume within the next few days.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko step into the meeting room of Moscow International Conference on Ensuring Delivery of Russian Gas Supplies to Consumers in Europe, in Moscow, capital of Russia, on Jan. 17, 2009. The summit gathering Russian, Ukrainian, EU and other leaders began here Saturday in a new push to end the gas dispute between Moscow and Kiev that has left millions of Europeans without heating in the depths of winter for more than a week.

The Russian leader expected Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to be authorized to represent Ukraine during the negotiations on the gas crisis, saying the talks will be continued by the prime ministers of Russia and Ukraine.

    Medvedev stressed the need to diversify the routes of Russian gas exports.

    "We must think of streamlining the routes of gas deliveries irrespective of what is happening today," he said, noting that both the pipeline projects of Nord Stream and South Stream would guarantee the energy security of European consumers.

Moscow International Conference on Ensuring Delivery of Russian Gas Supplies to Consumers in Europe is held in Moscow, capital of Russia, on Jan. 17, 2009.

However, he said the construction of new pipelines does not mean Russia will give up shipping gas through current transit systems, including the pipelines across Ukraine.

    Medvedev also insisted that Ukraine pay market prices for Russian gas.

    "Ukraine must pay European prices for gas. It is absolutely normal and this is our position," he said. "Our other partners pay this money and Ukraine is able to pay it."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R), Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) and Moldovan Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii attend Moscow International Conference on Ensuring Delivery of Russian Gas Supplies to Consumers in Europe, in Moscow, capital of Russia, on Jan. 17, 2009

A summit gathering Russian, Ukrainian, EU and other leaders was held in the Kremlin Saturday in a new push to resolve the current gas row that has left millions of Europeans without heating in the depths of winter for more than a week.

    Russia cut off gas supplies via Ukraine to Europe on Jan. 7, one week after it halted supplies to Ukraine over the price of Russian gas Kiev buys.

    Russian gas giant Gazprom reopened its taps to Europe on Tuesday morning under a three-way agreement signed by the EU, Ukraine and Russia, but no gas reached Europe.

    Russia accused Ukraine of blocking the gas flow, while Ukraine argued that Russia's choice of the gas route was technically "unacceptable."