Russian Energy Minister Victor Khristenko today called for more balanced energy ties with the European Union, which now tilt in the EU’s favour due to strong investment in Russia.

‘We are of course interested in investing in the European energy market, we want reciprocity,’ Khristenko told reporters on the sidelines of the ninth session of inter-state consultations between Germany and Russia.

Many Europeans are worried by Russian state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom’s plans to buy western European energy companies since its aggressive tactics in rows with Russia’s neighbours have undermined confidence in the huge group.

Gazprom is also seen in Europe as a Kremlin-directed tool of Russian foreign policy.

But Khristenko countered by saying that German energy giant E.ON (nyse: EON — news — people )’s business in Russia is worth ‘nearly 20 billion dollars’.

‘For the moment, Russia cannot boast such strong investment in the European energy sector,’ he said, adding that his country ‘expects to have an opportunity to invest in energy in Europe.

‘It should not be considered as some sort of expansion’ by Russia’s dominant state-owned energy companies, the minister added.

On Monday, E.ON confirmed it had completed its takeover of Russian energy company OGK-4, which it acquired for 4.1 bln eur.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Angela Merkel underscored after talks here that energy played a major role in their countries’ economic ties.

Russian supplies about 42 pct of Germany’s gas and 33 pct of its fuel imports, according to figures cited by the Kremlin.