Business & Economy

Austria, Germany pen gas cooperation deal ahead of possible crisis in winter

Vienna, Jul 12 (EFE).- Austria and Germany on Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement in the sector of natural gas to deal with a possible energy crisis in the winter season as Russian gas deliveries become more restricted.

The pact signed by German economy minister and vice chancellor Robert Habeck and Austrian environment and energy minister Leonore Gewessler during a meeting in Vienna stipulates both countries will not withhold planned gas shipments even in case of supply shortages.

This is related to some regions in western Austria that are not connected to the Austrian gas network but to the German one.

“We promise we will continue to send natural gas even during an emergency,” Gewessler said at a joint press conference with Habeck.

Habeck, meanwhile, stressed that Europe must accept that it is “dependent” when it comes to energy.

“That is not necessarily bad, since awareness will grow with it, and politics, people and democracy can make a difference,” Habeck said.

The German minister also went ahead to reiterate that numerous measures have already been taken in recent months to reduce dependence on Russia’s fossil fuel supplies, in wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

Following the signing of the agreement, Habeck and Gewessler visited Vienna’s Simmering power plant, which houses one of the largest heat and power plants in central Europe. EFE

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