MOSCOW, December 8The EU wants to give member countries the power to prohibit companies from Russia and Belarus from buying capacity in their gas pipelines and LNG terminals, writes the Financial newspaper Times, citing a draft text proposed by Brussels.
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"The EU is going to give member states powers to stop gas imports from Russia and Belarus. <…> According to the draft legal text proposed by Brussels <…>, any member country will be able to prohibit companies from Russia and Belarus from buying capacity in their gas pipelines and LNG terminals,” the publication writes with reference to the document.
According to a senior bloc official, the proposal could provide a basis for EU energy companies to exit contracts with Russian gas suppliers without having to pay compensation.
Under the bill, EU member states would be allowed to «partially or where justified, completely limit» access to infrastructure to gas operators from Russia and Belarus, «where necessary to protect fundamental security interests.»
Negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament are expected to approve the draft text on Friday, notes the Financial Times. The final version still needs to be officially approved by parliament and member states, the publication adds.