BRUSSELS, June 19 (UPI) -- Russian energy monopoly Gazprom and Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz should work toward a durable agreement on European gas transits, Brussels says.
Gazprom in early June warned its European customers that Ukraine is not pumping Russian gas to its storage facilities for winter supplies, forecasting further gas shortages are possible for Europe.
The European Commission chaired a gas coordination meeting to call for stronger coordination on energy supplies to Europe, expressing concern over the latest warnings on gas shortages.
"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," the commission said.
A dispute between Moscow and Kiev over gas contracts and arrears culminated in January gas disruptions from Gazprom to Ukraine. The row left European customers in the cold for weeks as 80 percent of their Russian gas travels through Ukrainian territory.
The European Commission called on both sides to work toward a durable solution to secure European energy supplies.
"The commission urged both parties, Gazprom and Naftogaz, to reach a stable and long-term arrangement to secure transit towards the EU," said a statement from the commission.
