VIENNA, August 3 Austria's ruling coalition has agreed to include a refusal to rely on Russian gas by 2027 in the republic's new security strategy, the Austrian newspaper Kurier reported.
It is specified that Austria's new security strategy is currently being finalized.
«Austria should become independent of Russian natural gas by 2027. According to information, the turquoise-green (the colors of the two ruling parties) government has already agreed to this,» the publication reported.
According to the newspaper, the finished strategy could be presented in the coming weeks.
As previously reported by the Austrian newspaper der Standard, Austria still imports the largest share of gas from Russia. In March 2024, the share of gas from the Russian Federation in imports was 93%, in April — 81%, and in May, according to the latest data, — 90%. According to the publication, in absolute figures, Austria imported more gas from Russia from March to May of this year than ever since June 2022.
Austrian Energy Minister Leonor Gewessler announced plans in February to study options for exiting long-term contracts between OMV and Gazprom. They are valid until 2040. Later, OMV said that in order to refuse Russian gas, legislators need to create a legal basis; if necessary, the company will be able to supply consumers in Austria with 100% non-Russian gas. As the republic's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg noted in March, Austria plans to completely abandon Russian gas by 2027.