Von der Leyen spoke at the "EU Industry Days" event held in Brussels.
Pointing to the rapid increase in natural gas prices in Europe recently, von der Leyen said, "Europe imports 90 percent of its gas." said.
Von der Leyen stated that natural gas demand has increased globally due to the economic recovery, adding, "The current geopolitical tensions also have a price. We import more than 40 percent of our gas from Russia. It seems that Russia is not interested in increasing its natural gas supply despite peaked prices at the moment. " he said.
Voicing that the occupancy rate of natural gas storages in Europe is below the required levels, von der Leyen explained that gas shipments to Europe through Gazprom's Yamal pipeline and via Ukraine are also at low levels.
"All this shows that Gazprom is not acting like an ordinary gas supplier. Company interests and politics seem to be intertwined," von der Leyen said. made its assessment.
Expressing that there are more than 20 liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in EU countries in total, von der Leyen said, "LNG facilities reduce our dependence on Russian gas and allow us to diversify our resources." said.
Von der Leyen stated that the EU is actively negotiating with partners such as the USA, Norway, Algeria, Azerbaijan and Qatar for gas supply and that the EU Commission will propose various measures to the member states in the near future. We can supply gas. We can make our gas storage facilities better usable and expand their capacity across Europe.” he said.
Stating that member countries can establish strategic reserves in gas as well as in oil, von der Leyen said that the best assurance against future price increases in electricity and energy prices is the European Green Agreement.
Von der Leyen noted that they need to accelerate the installation of renewable energy production facilities in Europe, "It is our dependence on their imports that makes us so vulnerable to price increases in energy." used the phrase.
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