The European Commission and the EU Presidency are taking joint action to press Russia and Belarus to resolve completely the recent dispute that affected Europe’s energy security by disrupting flows through the Druzhba pipeline.
“We welcome the information that oil flows have resumed as signs of progress but continue calling on both sides to reach an immediate and complete resolution of all outstanding issues and guarantee reliability of future deliveries through the pipeline,” declared EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
The disputed followed the signing of a five-year gas supply and transit contract between the Republic of Belarus and Russia’s Gazprom which all but doubled the price of gas. Belarus retaliated with a hefty rise on oil duties to which
Russia’s Transneft responded by cutting supplies on the Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline supplies 50% of Russian imports to Europe and roughly 15% of total EU oil imports
The developments confirm that Europe needs to act to limit its external vulnerability to imported hydrocarbons and enhance its overall security of energy supply, says the Commission.
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