Germany activated the second phase of its emergency plan for natural gas supplies on Thursday, June 23, saying the country faces a "crisis" and warning that winter storage targets are at risk due to of decreasing supply from Russia.
The German government said the decision to raise the level to "alert" follows the reduction of Russian gas deliveries made since June 14 and the continued increase in the market price for gas. The third and highest stage is the "emergency" level, which would allow the state to ration the gas supply.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday in a statement to the media that "the situation is serious and winter will come". He said that while gas storage facilities are currently filled to 58 percent capacity – higher than this time last year – the goal of reaching 90 percent by December will not be achievable without taking further measures.
"The reduction of gas supply is an economic attack on us by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," he said. "We will defend ourselves against this situation. But our country will have to go on an upward path now.”
"Even if we can't feel it yet: we are in a gas crisis," Habeck added. The government said it had previously informed its European partners about the measure./REL
Information source @BalkanWeb: Read more at: www.botasot.al
