Les meneurs de l’UE avertis d’une crise du gaz de grande ampleur

On the risk of a new gas crisis, the European Council conclusions note "with concern potential problems concerning gas supply from Russia via Ukraine". 

"The European Council is convinced that all parties will honour their commitments in order to avoid repetition of disruption of gas supply to the EU and its member states. The Council and the Commission will continue to carefully monitor and assess the situation and will report to the European Council whenever appropriate. In this respect, it is of major importance for the EU to continue speaking with one voice with its partners." 

"With a view to the above, the European Council welcomes the agreement reached by the Council on the revised Oil Stocks Directive and looks forward to prompt presentation of the Security of Gas Supplies Directive by the Commission with a view to reaching agreement as soon as possible. At its October meeting, the European Council will take stock of progress regarding energy infrastructures and interconnections as well as crisis mechanisms, in line with the orientations it had agreed last March." 

The European Commission issued a press release on 19 June, following its recent contacts with Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz, which reads as follows: 

"Due to the rising concerns on a possible disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe coming through Ukraine, the Commission has chaired today a meeting of the Gas Coordination Group to assure a stronger EU coordination and to secure energy supplies to European citizens. After having listened to Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy representatives on their supply and transit prospects for the next winter, the Gas Coordination Group discussed the risks and possible measures in the short and medium term to guarantee energy supplies to all European consumers." 

"The Commission urged both parties, Gazprom and Naftogaz, to reach a stable and long-term arrangement to secure transit towards the EU. The European Commission emphasised that all parties should fulfill their legal and contractual obligations as far as transit to EU is concerned." 

"The possibility of a new gas shortage in summer calls for an in-depth investigation of its impact on the next winter, as this will affect the preparedness of the EU shippers to supply their customers. Member states, national regulators and the European organisations representing the gas industry and the consumers gave their own assessment of the likely impact on their situation." 

"The Commission is to examine a more detailed level of preparedness of the authorities and the natural gas undertakings at a forthcoming meeting of the Gas Coordination Group to be held on 2 July 2009."