Gas supplies from Russia to Slovakia through Ukraine have been restored, Economy Minister Lubomír Jahnátek told a press conferencee after a session of the government’s crisis committee, reported the TASR newswire.
"We got the information that Velké Kapušany were just opened,” the minister said at noon on January 20. He added that technicians were ready to stop the purchase of gas from the Czech Republic through the Yamal gas line.
"We are all ready for the steps to return to normal business,” said Bernd Wagner, chairman of the board of Slovenský plynárenský priemysel (SPP).
Participants at the press conference were not able to specify the volume of gas or the pressure in the gas line so far. “I rely on our experts whom I trust to manage the situation so that the normal operation of the gas system in Slovakia can be restored,” Wagner assured.
The state of emergency in Slovakia, which was announced on January 6 after a reduction and subsequent cessation in the supply of gas coming from Russia, can be ended by January 23, according to Jahnátek. Restoration of gas from Russia followed after a contract between Gazprom and the Ukrainian Naftogaz was signed on January 19 at 16:30, reported TASR.
