The European Commission called on Thursday Russia's Gazprom energy company and Naftogaz of Ukraine to reach a stable and long-term arrangement to secure transit towards the EU.

The European Commission emphasized that all parties should fulfill their legal and contractual obligations as far as transit to EU is concerned.

Due to the rising concerns on a possible disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe coming through Ukraine, the Commission chaired a meeting of a Gas Coordination Group to assure a stronger EU coordination and to secure energy supplies to European citizens.

After having listened to Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy representatives on their supply and transit prospects for the next winter, the Gas Coordination Group discussed the risks and possible measures in the short and medium term to guarantee energy supplies to all European consumers.

The possibility of a new gas shortage in summer calls for an in-depth investigation of its impact on the next winter, as this will affect the preparedness of the EU shippers to supply their customers.

EU member states, national regulators and the European organizations representing the gas industry and the consumers gave their own assessment of the likely impact on their situation.

The Commission said that it is to examine a more detailed level of preparedness of the authorities and the natural gas undertakings at a forthcoming meeting of the Gas Coordination Group to be held on July 2.

The Gas Coordination Group was created in 2006 relating to measures that guarantee security of natural gas supply.

Chaired by the European Commission, it is composed of gas competent representatives of member states, the European organizations of the gas sector and consumers.

The Group meets regularly (at least 4 times per year) to exchange information and to develop both short and long term concrete measures which reinforce the security of gas supply to the EU.

The January 2009 gas crisis resulted from a brawl between Ukraine and Russia over gas prices showed that a more coordinated approach is needed on European level to provide stable and secure energy supply to European citizens.

Source: Xinhua