Russia can supply more gas to Europe, said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. However, supplies must be carried out on the basis of long-term contracts, since production growth has a long investment cycle, he noted.
“We can supply (more.— “b”), we have huge resources, but any production is an investment project that takes time for this project to pay off, to attract investments. Therefore, there should be a clear marketing policy. Therefore, we have always advocated that long-term contracts, first of all, be of the system of energy security for consumers who use such energy carriers, ”said the Deputy Prime Minister in an interview with the Rossiya 1 TV channel (quoted by RIA Novosti).
Mr. Novak also denied the accusations of the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol against Gazprom about involvement in the emergence of an energy crisis in Europe. According to Mr. Novak, the reason is the long cold winter, as well as growing needs against the backdrop of economic recovery.
The energy crisis in the EU countries emerged last autumn. Since then, gas prices have skyrocketed. On December 21, the price of gas in Europe for the first time in history reached a record high – more than $2,150 per 1,000 cubic meters. m, after which Gazprom suspended transit to Germany via the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline. Subsequently, the Ukrainian Naftogaz accused Russia of a record increase in gas prices and filed a complaint against Gazprom with the European Commission (EC) for abusing its dominant position in the market. The EC received a complaint and promised to “evaluate on the basis of our standard procedures.”
Read more about the rise in prices in the material “Kommersant FM” “Europe “went through” with stocks.”
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