Gazprom deal with Eni drives wedge into hopes for EU unity

BERLIN: Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy behemoth, strengthened its grip on the European natural gas market Thursday after signing a contract with Eni, the Italian energy group, a move analysts said would further weaken the European Union’s chances of establishing a united energy policy.

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The deal was signed in Moscow as President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Romano Prodi, the Italian prime minister, watched. It would give Russia more access to energy markets in southeastern Europe, even though the EU has repeatedly said that it wanted to reduce its dependency on Russian gas by diversifying its sources.

“We are using this opportunity to get a political blessing,” said Paolo Scaroni, the Eni chief executive, who was in Moscow for the ceremony. “Pipelines in general, and South Stream in particular, are such a significant infrastructure investment that they raise political attention.”

IHT