SOCHI, Russia, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have pledged to work closely together to avoid energy supply insecurities in Europe.
At the end of a Sunday meeting at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, both leaders called for closer energy security ties between Russia and the European Union to avoid further "tensions" in the supply system.
The meeting comes after a gas price row between Russia and Belarus led to a brief interruption of westward flow of Russian oil to Europe.
"Communication on certain issues must be better to avoid irritations," Merkel said. Her government since Jan. 1 holds the rotating six-month EU presidency, and Merkel has been very critical of the Russian tendency to use oil resources as a foreign policy tool. For the EU-Russia summit, which takes place in May in Samara, Russia, Berlin is expected to propose concrete energy cooperation initiatives between Russia and the EU.
Putin on Sunday pledged his government was ready for an open dialogue on energy with Europe, without neglecting Russia's interests.
