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Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

Russia, Ukraine need to conclude gas deal for period after March 2015 — EU

The EC vice-president for energy is satisfied with how Russia and Ukraine are observing the winter gas deal reached with the EU’s mediation in late October

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

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Ukraine plans to buy 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas in Russia before yearend — minister

BRUSSELS, November 17. /TASS/. It is important for Russia and Ukraine to find a solution for the period after March 2015 to stabilize the general situation with the delivery of natural gas and other energy products not only between Moscow and Kiev but also between Russia, Ukraine and European partners, European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic said at an EU energy policy conference in Brussels.

The EC vice-president for energy said he was satisfied with how Russia and Ukraine were observing the winter gas deal reached with the EU’s mediation in late October.

EU common gas purchases

Regarding EU gas purchases, Sefcovic sais the European Commission considers it expedient for EU member states to make gas purchases pursuant to a jointly agreed decision.

The EU member states should definitely try to study the possibility of common gas purchases, he said.

EU common gas purchases will become possible only with full observance of the EU competition legislation and the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), he said.

The European Commission is studying this issue. The EC is ready for a step-by-step approach. At the initial stage, EU member states may participate voluntarily in such gas purchases so that the EC can see how this will work in the future, Sefcovic said.

The EU member states annually importing gas worth $400 billion should be considered by exporters as a single whole, he said.

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