BERLIN, March 28. /ITAR-TASS/. The deliveries of natural gas from Russia to the European Union “have no reasonable alternative,” German Vice Chancellor, Minister of Economics and Energy Sigmar Gabriel said on Thursday evening at an energy forum in Osnabruck, organized by the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper.

According to him, at discussions on Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas and oil “it is often concluded that there are many other possibilities (for getting energy resources).” However, it is not so, stated the chairman of the German Social Democratic Party that is part of the government coalition in Germany.

Gabriel also warned against “panic sentiments”. “Even during the ‘cold war’ Russia had observed the concluded agreements,” the German vice chancellor stressed.

German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel for her part called for “reducing the dependence” of the European Union from energy supplies from Russia. Talking to reporters in Berlin on Thursday after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper, she said that “the hole energy policy (of the European Union) will be reconsidered.”

The head of the German government said that it would be done because the EU is “highly” dependent on Russian oil and gas. And Germany’s dependence “has long been not the greatest anymore,” Merkel said.