Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-01-02

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Athens comments on Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

[01] Athens comments on Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

The Greek minister, in a radio interview, said the government was on alert to ensure the smooth supply of natural gas in the domestic market. Sioufas said Greece has not experienced any problems so far and stressed that the Austrian EU presidency has acted immediately by calling both Ukraine and Russia to overcome their dispute.

The minister acknowledged that Hungary and Poland already faced some supply problems but reassured that both the EU presidency and the Greek government were working closely to solve the issue. Sioufas will meet with the Russian and Ukrainian ambassadors later on Monday to discuss the issue.

Sioufas said Russia, primarily, and Algeria were Greece's two main suppliers of natural gas, while saying that the country's natural gas along with liquified natural gas reserves were enough to ensure the smooth supply of domestic needs. He acknowledged, however, that a further escalation of the crisis could create wider problems. Sioufas said the government will continue signing liquified natural gas supply contracts with Algeria.

Finally, he said Ukraine was a member of Europe's energy charter and stressed that the country had specific obligations to meet.

Caption: Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas. ANA / K. Mavrona.

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