Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute Leaves Romania Unmoved

Romania will not suffer because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine gas row, as the country is one of the countries in Europe that are least dependent on imported Russian gas, officials say.

Russia on Monday cut the gas supplies to Ukraine after Kiev failed to meet a deadline to repay its debt of 4.5 billion dollars.

”Romania will not be affected by Russian gas deliveries being cut to Ukraine because there is enough gas stored in underground storage units and [our] production exceeds consumption,” Energy Minister Razvan Nicolescu said.

Nicolescu said Romania had amassed 1.35 billion cubic metres of natural gas in underground storage, which should cover the economy's need for more than six months.

Commentators in Romania have voiced concern about energy security. "Russia's suspension of gas deliveries is worrying for the whole of Europe, Romania included. Europe finally needs to come up with a common energy strategy to reduce its dependence on Russia,” the daily newspaper, Romania Libera, urged on Tuesday.

Romania produces about 11 billion cubic metres of gas a year, covering about 75 per cent of its annual needs. It imports the rest exclusively from Russia.

Romania is looking to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, mainly by diversifying gas supply routes.

In 2009, when the Russia-Ukraine dispute led to cuts in gas transported through Ukrainian pipelines, Romania responded with a cut of 39 per cent in its gas imports.