The EU excluded russian gas from joint procurement

The energy ministers of the EU countries at the meeting on November 24 agreed to exclude russian gas from contracts for joint procurement.

European energy ministers reached a consensus on joint purchases of natural gas. Government officials also agreed on urgent measures to overcome the price crisis on the gas markets. Instead, there will be no gas from russia in joint EU contracts, reports “Evropeyska Pravda” with reference to the statement of the Council of the EU dated November 24.

The new agreement creates opportunities for EU member states and their energy companies to jointly purchase gas on world markets. Through this mechanism, the states should receive 15% of all the gas needed to fill their gas storages in 2023 — about 13.5 billion cubic meters.

“The EU has already managed to fill gas storages to ensure supplies for this winter. Today we took an important step to ensure supplies for next winter as well. Emergency measures will help us use the strength and advantages of our common market and jointly ensure sufficient gas supplies for the coming year, – commented the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Josef Sikelá. “It sends the right signal to the market and strengthens our solidarity mechanisms in the event of a real emergency.”