Germany to take over Gazprom Germania to ensure security of supplies

By Sibel Morrow

​​​​​​​ANKARA (AA) - The German subsidiary of Russian energy giant Gazprom will be placed under the authority of the German Federal Network Agency, the country’s economy minister said on Monday.

Germany’s decision came three days after Gazprom announced that it was abandoning its operations in Germany amid a disagreement between the two countries over Moscow's recent insistence on receiving payments for Russian gas in rubles rather than euros.

Describing the move as "absolutely necessary," Robert Habeck said Gazprom Germania operates critical infrastructure in Germany and is therefore "outstandingly important for the gas supply."

"The government is doing what is necessary to ensure security of supply in Germany," Habeck told reporters.

He voiced concern about “the unclear legal situation” of the company after Russia’s decision to stop its operations, calling the move a “violation of the reporting requirements of the Foreign Trade Ordinance.”

Klaus Muller, the head of Germany’s Federal Network Agency, said the agency will ensure “proper management,” taking all necessary steps to continue to ensure the security of supplies.

Gazprom Germania plays a key role in Germany's energy supply through its subsidiary Wingas. Gazprom is involved in gas trading in Germany while its subsidiary Astora operates Germany's largest natural gas storage facility in the northern town of Rehden in the state of Lower Saxony.