energy
Chancellor Nehammer on gas stop: “Let’s not be blackmailed”
Russia no longer sends gas to Austria. The head of government believes the country is well prepared for this eventuality. According to the Chancellor, Moscow’s move has to do with the Ukraine sanctions against Russia.
According to Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Austria will stick to its Ukraine policy despite Russia’s gas supply ban. “We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed or brought to our knees,” said the conservative head of government. Austria had prepared for this eventuality with sufficient reserves, he emphasized.
Russia’s gas export company Gazprom Export had previously informed its Austrian contractual partner OMV that deliveries would be stopped from Saturday. The move is in response to an arbitration court ruling that awarded OMV 230 million euros in the dispute with Gazprom.
According to Nehammer, the dispute was about Gazprom repeatedly suspending deliveries in order to put pressure on Austria for its support of EU sanctions against Russia.
“Nobody has to freeze in Austria. The apartments can be heated,” said Nehammer. The delivery stop should not lead to any price increases, said the Chancellor. There are sufficient reserves and Austria’s gas consumption is not market relevant for Europe, he argued.
dpa
Source: Stern
