- EU member states agree on a quick approach to soften the impact of a potential total stoppage in Russian gas supplies.
- A mechanism would be created to trigger a bloc-wide alert in the event of widespread gas shortages.
The European Union member states have reached a series of agreements on an emergency gas plan to lessen the potential impact of the total stoppage in Russian gas supplies.
According to a report by the NNN, under the terms of the amended agreement, binding savings targets can now only be enforced by the European Council rather than by the EU Commission.
The approval process for the revised plan was due to begin later in the week at a special meeting of EU energy ministers. Diplomats said that the qualified majority required should be easily achieved.
Exceptions agreed upon would mean that countries including Cyprus, Malta and Ireland would not have to save gas as their gas systems are not directly connected to those of another member state. Mandatory gas savings can also be reduced in certain circumstances, including when filling gas storage facilities in the event of power shortages and for the industrial use of gas as a raw material.