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As Europe reels from Moscow’s belligerence and utter dependence on its oil and gas supplies, the Harper government is positioning itself as a reliable partner ready to offer energy security to the continent.

In his first international assignment, Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford was out in full force advertising the country’s formidable crude oil and natural gas resources to energy ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Japan, U.K. and U.S. in Rome on Tuesday.

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“In a time where many countries are faced with the dual challenges of increasing demands for energy and an unstable energy supply, Canada is a reliable, secure and responsible source of energy,” Mr. Rickford told reporters after a special meeting with the Group of Seven ministers.

As the only major oil and gas exporter in the group, Canada is leveraging its oil and gas reserves to position itself as a reliable supplier of energy and an alternative source to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.