Welt: Germany’s neighbors avoid agreements with Germany on mutual gas supply in emergencies

BERLIN, 9 September – RIA Novosti. The German newspaper Welt, referring to a report by the German Ministry of Economy, wrote that many neighboring countries of Germany, including Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Poland, do not want to conclude agreements with Germany on mutual gas supply in emergencies.

“To date, Germany has signed a solidarity agreement with Denmark and Austria. On the contrary, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Poland avoid constructive negotiations and bilateral solidarity agreements with us.” For the German Ministry of Economy, on behalf of the Bundestag’s climate protection and energy committee. According to the newspaper, the document is at your disposal.

Like the authors of the memo, solidarity contracts should actually regulate the processes and mutual obligations for the supply of natural gas necessary to ensure the vital supply of natural gas to protected consumers, including household consumers, social services, as well as social services. gas-fired power plants that ensure the stability of the energy system.

In this regard, according to the Ministry of Economy, it is problematic that such contracts are not currently concluded. Citing a document from the Ministry of Economy, the newspaper said, “This is becoming a problem, especially on the backdrop of the current situation (with gas supply) and increased susceptibility to gas crises.” It is noted that the rejection of neighboring countries “will lead to questioning the implementation of EU legislation”. Negotiations with the Czech Republic and Italy are also ongoing. It also aims to sign a tripartite agreement in which Germany, Switzerland and Italy will participate.

At the same time, as Welt noted, Russia has not been supplying gas to Europe since the end of August, and if a cold winter comes, the reserves at the gas storage facilities will last only two months. “Therefore, in just a few months, Germany may depend on the solidarity of its neighbors to continue supplying gas, at least to particularly protected consumers, such as private households,” the newspaper said.

According to him, the refusal of the Netherlands and Belgium to negotiate solidarity agreements is particularly worrying from a German point of view. “At the moment, Germany receives half of the gas from pipelines passing through these two countries. Since Germany does not yet have its own terminals for receiving liquefied gas, the federal government relies on gas from the Netherlands and Belgium,” the publication said.