Report: Netherlands’ cities ask for release from E.U.’s sanctions

MOSCOW, Aug 31 (PRIME) -- The councils of some cities in the Netherlands have asked to release them temporarily from the E.U.’s anti-Russian sanctions as they have encountered difficulties while looking for alternatives for Russian energy sources, Euractriv news portal reported late on Tuesday.

“High energy prices mean new contracts will likely be more expensive. Eight councils’ requests for exemptions are already under review,” it reported citing Pieter ten Bruggencate, spokesperson for Dutch Energy Minister Rob Jetten.

Earlier this week, a source with the European Commission said that the Netherlands might allow the city government of the Hague to buy gas from Russian gas giant Gazprom as an exception from the E.U. sanctions effective from October 10.

End