Andrei Babish: Europe Should Agree with Gazprom on Long-term Gas Contracts

Europe must agree with Russia on long-term gas supply contracts and use the capacity of Nord Stream 2. This was stated by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrei Babis.

The Nord Stream gas pipeline is an investment of money from Gazprom and Western European companies. It was built and should be used, so I think Europe should negotiate long-term contracts [for gas] with Russia, because gas supply is a great advantage for both Russia and Europe. Therefore, bilateral negotiations and agreements are needed. The blocking of transit facilities [of Nord Stream 2 by European politicians] will not bring anything to Russia, but neither will Europe, ”TASS quotes the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

Earlier, at a meeting of world leaders in Glasgow, Babis reminded his colleagues from the EU that Europeans could face energy poverty due to rising gas prices and the reluctance of a number of European politicians to approve new transit capacities of the Nord Stream 2 and OPAL gas pipelines due to concerns, that the EU will depend on Russia.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this may sound like news to you, but we are already dependent on Russian natural gas,” he said.