2 minutes agoItaly begins secession from Russian gas, deals with state
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)Algeria will pass Russia as Italy's largest gas supplier, thanks to an agreement reached Monday by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Thus, Rome took the first concrete step to break free from Russian gas. Russia supplies about 40 percent of Italy's natural gas. Although Draghi is [...]
Thus, Rome took the first concrete step to break free from Russian gas.
Russia supplies about 40 percent of Italy's natural gas.
Although Draghi is very committed to Italy's role as a close ally of the US in NATO, Rome's long-standing support for hydrocarbons has tied Italy's hands when it comes to economic counterprogress against President Vladimir Putin.
This agreement is an important response to this strategic goal. There will be more”, Draghi said after meeting with the Algerian president, Abdelmaladyid Tebboune.
Under the deal between Algeria's Sonach and Italy's Eni, Algeria will send an additional 9 billion cubic metres of gas to Italy by next year and 2024.
In 2021, Italy imported approximately 29 bcm of gas from Russia and 22.5 bcm from Algeria, according to Italy's Ministry of Economic Development. If the deal is maintained, Algeria will replace Russia as Italy's main gas source by next year.
Italy's Foreign Minister, Louis Di Maio and Eni's chief, Claudio Descalzi, have already launched diplomatic efforts, visiting Azerbaijan, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Qatar, Angola and Algeria.
