Czechs say gas crisis must kick off security drive

By Jan Lopatka

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Europe must accelerate talks on finding alternative energy sources, building gas pipelines and cementing cooperation to avoid becoming caught up in supply disruptions from Russia, the Czech EU presidency said on Monday.

Czech Industry and Trade Minister Martin Riman said long-term measures were necessary to combat the European Union's dependence on Russian gas, stressing energy security was a priority for the Czech six-month EU presidency.

"The crisis must encourage member states to make energy security a bigger priority than it has been so far," Riman told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"(I expect) conclusions in which we will urge the EU and the European Commission to speed up work on raising the level of security, solidarity and mutual aid among member states, building new transit routes, improving interconnection among individual countries."

The European Union, which takes about fifth of its gas consumption from Russia through Ukraine, will meet later on Monday to discuss energy policy and Riman said the issues would be raised then.

Supplies to Europe have been cut off for nearly a week in freezing temperatures after Russia accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas to make up for losses it has suffered since Moscow turned off the tap on January 1 in a dispute over gas prices.

Earlier on Monday, Ukraine removed conditions that had threatened to thwart a weekend deal to restart gas transit.

The Czechs want to push ahead with the planned Nabucco pipeline project, which would bring gas from the Caspian and possibly other sources to Europe via Turkey and the Balkans.

But the project has lacked firm commitment and financing, and will take a number of years to complete.

"There are projects to raise energy security, such as Nabucco, that have long been discussed. There has been a lot of talk but not much action," Riman said.

The crisis is also a boost to backers of nuclear energy, which has increasingly come under the spotlight due to rising energy prices and a drive to cut carbon emissions.

The Czechs want to discuss energy at an EU summit later this year and plan a high-level meeting on the subject in Prague.

"This crisis should be an encouragement, a kick for us all to start working faster and seriously on the projects," Riman said. "That is what we are proposing and we have not received any signal that people do not agree."

(Editing by Elizabeth Piper)