SOCHI (Russia), May 25: Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded ‘reciprocal steps’ on Thursday from the European Union in exchange for greater access to Russia’s energy resources and infrastructure, the ‘holy of holies’ of the country’s economy.

“If our European partners expect us to allow them into the holy of holies of our economy, energy... then we want reciprocal steps that help our own development,” Mr Putin said at a news conference after a Russia-EU summit.

Mr Putin was responding to calls from the European Union for Russia to allow greater market access for European companies in return for Russia’s state-run gas giant Gazprom being allowed to expand its business activities in the European gas retail sector.

“If our partners expect some kind of exclusive on resources from us, for us to organise a completely liberal policy on extraction and transport, then the question arises: What do we get in return?” Mr Putin said.

“Access to resources and transport? Where? Where’s your extraction, where are your reserves? If this isn’t there — and it isn’t — then we want some kind of compensation,” he continued.

At the same news conference, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso that Brussels wanted ‘transparency and reciprocity’ in its energy relations with Moscow.

Before the talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, in southwestern Russia, EU External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: “If Gazprom wants to open up to others — that should also be for our companies.”

The European Union depends on Russia for 26 per cent of its gas consumption — a level that has come under growing scrutiny after Russia briefly cut off supplies to Ukraine in January, disrupting deliveries across Europe.

“There is a problem of a lack of trust in Russia as a credible supplier,” Mr Barroso said at the press conference.

Speaking directly after Mr Barroso, Mr Putin responded: “Russia was, is and will be a reliable partner.” —AFP