Moscow, 17 October 2010

Russia and Poland have agreed a new gas supply deal conforming to EU rules, easing worries that Europe, which takes gas through the Polish pipeline, might face shortages during the coming winter.

An agreement on increasing Russian gas delivery to Poland and its transit to Germany through the Yamal pipeline was negotiated last year but was not signed due to worries that it was incompatible with European Union laws.

"The EU delegation participated in the talks and did not raise any objections to the governmental agreement," Joanna Strzelec-Lobodzinska, Poland's Deputy Economy Minister, told reporters in Moscow.

Poland's current supply contract runs out next week, and the delay in signing the deal raised fears of supply disruptions similar to those experienced in 2009, when Russia left European consumers shivering during a price row with Ukraine.

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