Report: EU may bar Russian firms from booking gas pipeline capacity

MOSCOW, Dec 8 (PRIME) -- The E.U. wants to give the member-countries the right to forbid companies from Russia and Belarus to buy capacities in their pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, the Financial Times reported on Friday citing a draft order made in Brussels.

A high-ranking European official said that the proposal can allow the E.U. energy companies to cancel contracts with Russian gas suppliers without payment of a compensation.

According to the draft order, the E.U. member-states will be allowed to partially, or, when it is justified, fully restrict access to the infrastructure to the gas operators from Russia and Belarus if this is needed to protect the key security interests.

The draft order is to be approved on Friday, while a final version is yet to be approved by parliament and the member-states.

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