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Poland, Russia close to new gas deal: PM

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-01 23:13

WARSAW: A new gas contract between Poland and Russia could be finalized soon, ending uncertainty over Poland's long-term gas supplies, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.

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During a joint press conference with his visiting Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sopot of Poland, Tusk said he had discussed the issue with Putin, who was in Poland to attend ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.

Tusk said the talks on the contract should end in late autumn, while companies attending the talks should by that time have removed "technical problems" standing in the way of signing the deal.

Finalizing the contract will clear the way for longer term deliveries of extra Russian gas, made necessary as a result of the expiration, on December 31, 2008, of a contract with the Russian-Ukrainian RosUkrEnergo (RUE) company.

RUE, which is half-owned by Russia gas giant Gazprom, had been delivering 2.3 billion cubic metres of gas to Poland annually since 2006. However, the company has failed to make any deliveries since the start of this year.

On June 1, Poland's PGNiG gas and oil company signed a short-term contract with Gazprom for the delivery of 1 billion cubic meters of gas this year. However, long-term deliveries beyond 2010 are not yet secured.