Gas compressor station in GermanyBRUSSELS Feb 9Gazprom is not obliged to increase gas exports to the European Union, it already supplies some additional volumes, Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's permanent representative to the EU, said in an interview with RIA Novosti. obligations to supply gas to the EU. However, Gazprom, he said, «refused» additional exports to replenish European storage facilities, which increased the nervous situation in the market. Borrell also said that «difficulties with gas supplies» in Europe were caused by «the crisis relations with Russia.» «No, of course not. In addition, in fact, it supplies a certain amount of additional «blue fuel» to Europe, although, perhaps, not as much as some would like,» Chizhov said, answering the question whether Gazprom is obliged to increase supplies. gas prices in Europe began to rise in the spring of last year, when the average spot price on the TTF index fluctuated in the range of $250-300 per thousand cubic meters. in early October, it crossed the threshold of $ 1,000. In December, quotations have already doubled, reaching a historical maximum of $ 2,190.4. There have never been such consistently high prices in Europe since 1996. The European Union is almost completely dependent on external Russia is the largest gas supplier, its share in imports is about 40%.»Gazprom» did not book the capacity of the gas pipeline «Yamal — Europe» Earlier, Borrell said that «difficulties with gas supplies» in Europe are caused by a «crisis in relations with Russia.» He acknowledged that Moscow strictly fulfills its contractual obligations. However, Gazprom, he said, «refused» additional supplies to replenish European storage facilities, which increased the nervousness of the market. As Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out, Russia has nothing to do with the current situation — the Europeans themselves created problems with gas prices. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak explained that the European Commission pursued a deliberate policy of moving away from long-term contracts to spot contracts, but such deliveries go where prices are higher and do not even provide medium-term predictability. Russia is ready to increase gas production and supplies to Europe, but Gazprom needs long-term contracts because it will require large investments, Novak noted. Italian Foreign Ministry called Russia indispensable for gas supplies to Europe
