2024-02-16 07:36:59
Bulgaria becomes the main route for transfer of blue fuel for Austria – trump, which according to “Economist” will get us into Schengen
The European Union sees no need to extend the agreement to transport Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine before the contract’s scheduled expiration at the end of the year. This was stated on Thursday by the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson. She referred to an EU analysis which suggested that the countries served by the transit gas route – Austria, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia – would be able to find alternative supplies.
“Under 20% of natural gas in the EU comes from Russia, our gas storages are 66% full, we have good energy supplies, we have reduced gas consumption by 18%, prices on the market are at levels below those before the war – we have no interest in extending the tripartite agreement ,” said Simson.
If the transit through Ukraine is really stopped, the main route for the transfer of blue fuel, including Russian, for the countries of Central Europe will be the Turkish Stream gas pipeline – through Bulgaria.
Not long ago, the “Economist Intelligence Unit” pointed out that Bulgaria’s full entry into Schengen may be postponed until after 2025, but Sofia has a strong advantage over Austria. The analysis suggested that talks between Sofia and Vienna would most likely be put on hold until Austria’s parliamentary elections in September, with the issue of migration identified as the main reason for the potential freeze in discussions. The “Economist” claims that energy security will probably play an important role in the full activation of Schengen for Bulgaria, and it is the transfer of blue fuel that can be used by our authorities as a trump card in the talks with Austria.
According to analysts, Europe receives about 12 billion cubic meters of blue fuel a year through Ukraine, up from 155 billion cubic meters before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Through alternative supplies, the Old Continent seeks to limit its dependence on Russia. However, Austria is one of the countries that does not do well in this regard. The reason is also the long-term contract signed by the government with Moscow for gas supplies until 2040. A total of 64.7% of all gas imports in 2023 in the country comes from Russia. Vienna imports less than before, but its consumption has also fallen. Dependence is clearly visible even in December – 98% of imported fuel is Russian.