EU To Hold Emergency Talks On Gas Crisis

A gas gauge in Hungary on 2 December reflects Gazprom's decision to cut supplies to Ukraine (epa) 4 January 2006 --  EU officials are meeting today in Brussels for emergency talks aimed at solving the gas war between Russia and Ukraine.

Expected to top the agenda is a discussion on how Europe can secure its energy supplies.


Officials are also likely to discuss a request for help in price negotiations with Russia by Ukraine and Moldova, the other former Soviet republic hit by the state-controlled Gazprom's decision to raise prices.


EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said yesterday that the two countries had "called upon the EU to take [the] initiative in facilitating in the negotiation process” with Russia.


European customers reported delivery shortfalls after Moscow cut off supplies to Ukraine on 1 January following Kyiv’s rejection of a fourfold price increase. Yesterday the company restored normal delivery levels to European customers.


Overnight in Moscow, officials from Russia and Ukraine held talks to try and end the dispute. Results of the talks were not immediately available.


(Reuters)

Gas Facts

Gas Facts


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