Romania has already identified alternative sources and routes for natural gas to reduce dependency on Russian imports, but it needs the region’s gas corridors to become operational, the energy minister said. - Euractiv

EU energy ministers met in Brussels on Monday (2 May) to discuss the energy security in Europe after Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland.

Romania has already identified alternative sources and routes for natural gas to reduce dependency on Russian imports. In this context, I conveyed to the European Commission that it is important for Romania that the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Trans Balkan Gas Pipeline become operational and function at the maximum capacity.

Romanian Energy Minister Virgil Popescu said after the Council meeting

The two pipelines are needed to ensure gas flow from liquefied natural gas terminals and Azerbaijan. Europe is buying more of their gas in the coming period, the energy minister explained in a Facebook post.

Romania currently imports Russian gas via two intermediaries as it has no direct contracts with Gazprom, which, according to Popescu, makes the situation of gas imports in Romania stable.

While there is currently no problem with supply, Romania must prepare to ensure its gas storage is filled in time for the next winter season, the minister added.

Popescu said he would take part in a meeting this week of the first regional task force, a part of the EU’s Energy Purchase Platform, in Sofia.