Governments will have to give more consideration to energy security in the future when they make foreign policies and choose allies, an Iranian expert attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting said on Wednesday.

 

Given the troubles in the Middle East, volatile oil prices and the unbalanced distribution of resources, energy security has become an increasingly more important concern for the world, especially for big consumers, said Mohammad Hossein Adeli, head of economic trends of Iran's Center for Economic and International Studies.

 

Adeli was speaking at a session titled "The Shifting Power Equation: Geopolitics."

 

He said the US policy in the oil-rich Middle East was unavoidably influenced by its constant and huge need for energy.

 

Although people cannot say definitely that the US invasion in Iraq in 2003 was directly motivated by its desire for energy control, the United States must have the energy issue in mind, he indicated.

 

According to the expert, Russia is taking advantage of its rich oil resources in dealing with relations with other countries.

 

Russia is increasingly using oil as a tool in its foreign policy, he said.

 

He said Russia's increasing influence in energy security will have effects on its future relations with Europe and Asia. The giant country is clearly seeking new alliances with its oil card, he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2007)