---

European Council

Will the Foreign Secretary show greater urgency in pressing for diversification of gas supplies? Is he aware that some 50 per cent. of Europe’s gas supplies come from only three countries—Russia, Algeria and Norway—and that that is going to increase to 80 per cent. over the next 20 years? Will he take into account the fact that, as 52 per cent. of Gazprom is owned by the Russian Government, any decision by Gazprom to withhold gas from Ukraine, Moldova or any other country must be deemed to have been taken on political, not business, grounds? Will he make it clear to his Russian colleagues that as long as that continues, Russia will not be seen as a reliable partner in energy matters?