"The G8 Is Looking for an Exchange of Interests"

Gert Weisskirchen is the Social Democratic Party's parliamentary spokesperson for foreign affairs and the head of the German-Russian parliamentary group.

DW-WORLD.DE: Russia originally chose energy security to be the main topic of discussion for the Group of Eight summit, but the current issues of Iran, North Korea and Palestine have come up. Even before the focus was put on these new issues, there were a number of experts who criticized the meeting for taking on more than it could handle. Do you share that opinion?

Gert Weisskirchen: I think that it is definitely a good opportunity to observe all the world's current conflicts, which are unfortunately also becoming more heated, and to discuss them with each other so that the world's powers can make a shared contribution to solving these problems peacefully.

What are the most important topics for Germany at the summit? What concrete tasks have the German delegates set themselves?

Germany naturally has a large interest in seeing the G8 cooperate multilaterally. That is why Germany is trying to defuse the conflicts and contribute to making the world a better and more peaceful place. We want to hope that powerful countries like the USA and especially the growing powers, such as China as well as Russia, are ready to take part in shared efforts.

Although questions of international politics have moved into center stage, the topic of energy security is still key to all sides. What are the most important conditions that need to be fulfilled for Russia to be seen as a secure European partner on these issues?

Those who produce energy, those who transport energy and those who consume energy -- they have three interests. These interests needs to be coordinated with each other, not against each other. The energy charta would, for example, provide this type of platform, and I really hope that the talks in St. Petersburg bring us a step closer.

What kinds of methods would Europeans be prepared to use to convince Russia to ratify the European energy charta, should the Russians continue in their refusal to do so?

For its own internal interests, Russia naturally wants to streamline and try to get the most out of their resource production. Russia's own economic abilities cannot successfully do this, Russia needs outside investors to achieve it. This makes it clear that we are reliant on each other -- and even more than that, are dependent on each other. The energy producer is just as dependent on being able to sell its energy as the people who are buying the energy. Spying on or taking advantage of each other is not what is necessary at the moment, but a shared balancing of interests. I hope Russia will accept the energy charta as this kind of offer.

Could it be expected that Russia changes it orientation to Asian enegry markets when it is put under pressure?

Russia is not being put under any pressure. The G8 is looking for an exchange of interests. As far as the energy topic is concerned, there is no pressure being applied. This is an extremely important topic that all Europeans need to try not to think about in terms of power but of integration. I hope that Moscow will turn away from the old power games.

Criticism that Russia does not politically or economically belong in the G8 and that it should have observer status got louder and louder as the summit approached. What is your opinion on this?

Russia is a global player and very self-confident at the moment, and that is understandable when looking at the last 10 years. Russia is definitely highly respected and recognized. But it would be wise for Russia not to confuse its own interests with larger power issues. You can bring your own interests to bear best when you connect them with the interests of others.