G7 sends message to Russia at energy ministers meeting, says Canada’s Rickford

OTTAWA – A special meeting of G7 energy ministers says energy should not be used to coerce countries politically or threaten their security.

Canada’s new Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford says the G7 communique is a political statement aimed at Russia.

Rickford says his fellow ministers expressed extreme concern today over Russia’s continued incursion into Ukraine.

The G7 ministers were in the second day of a special meeting in Rome to look at ways to wean Europe off Russian energy supplies.

Rickford says Canada will look at ways of sharing energy efficiency expertise with European countries in the short term.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will attend a G7 leaders summit next month in Brussels.