Brussels, 21 Oct. (LaPresse) – Gas storage levels are “below the historical average”, and this is “a figure we have already noted on several occasions and which was also discussed during last week’s European Council meeting. We are currently holding regular gas coordination meetings with Member States — more frequently than usual — precisely to ensure a comprehensive overview of the situation in each of them. At present, although we are facing a difficult winter, we are not experiencing any supply security issues; however, the crisis in the Middle East is affecting energy prices, which in turn is impacting gas storage levels.” This was stated by the European Commission’s spokesperson for Energy, Anna Kaisa Itkonen, during the daily press briefing. “We do not have statutory strategic gas reserves: this is an issue we could begin to discuss,” she said, adding, “We remain – she emphasised – in close contact with Member States on this point, and it cannot be ruled out that the matter will be addressed at the next meeting of energy ministers. It is, of course, up to the Presidency and the Council to set the agenda, but this is clearly a highly topical issue.”
Gas, EU: ‘Storage levels below average but supplies not at risk’
Brussels, 21 Oct. (LaPresse) – Gas storage levels are “below the historical average”, and this is “a figure we have already noted on several occasions and which was also discussed during last week’s European Council meeting. We are currently holding regular gas coordination meetings with Member States — more frequently than usual — precisely to ensure a comprehensive overview of the situation in each of them. At present, although we are facing a difficult winter, we are not experiencing any supply security issues; however, the crisis in the Middle East is affecting energy prices, which in turn is impacting gas storage levels.” This was stated by the European Commission’s spokesperson for Energy, Anna Kaisa Itkonen, during the daily press briefing. “We do not have statutory strategic gas reserves: this is an issue we could begin to discuss,” she said, adding, “We remain – she emphasised – in close contact with Member States on this point, and it cannot be ruled out that the matter will be addressed at the next meeting of energy ministers. It is, of course, up to the Presidency and the Council to set the agenda, but this is clearly a highly topical issue.”