Slovak gas utility Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP) withdrew its arbitration claim against Gazprom seeking compensation over damages caused by the shortage of natural gas supplies in January 2009, the TASR newswire was told by SPP's Ľubomír Tuchscher on April 7. Furthermore, SPP has concluded an agreement with the Russian gas provider on receiving less than originally contracted amounts of gas without any risk of fines.
“After a comprehensive analysis of the risks and possible positive outcome as well as high costs involved, SPP has decided to withdraw the lawsuit from the court of arbitration,” says the written statement of SPP.
According to SPP, an addendum to a contract on gas supplies struck between SPP and Gazprom Export is in no way related with negotiations on compensation for shortage of gas suffered during the gas crisis period in early 2009. The Russian daily Vedomosti wrote that the Slovak company was negotiating with Gazprom in March about the issue of damage compensation only. The daily didn't specify the amount or form of compensation Slovakia was seeking. The Russian news agency Interfax wrote that Slovakia didn't receive as much as 300 million cubic metres of (contracted) gas during the crisis.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
