Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

Austria says it plans to import natural gas from Germany and Italy to mitigate the impact of the halting of Russian gas through Ukraine, but rising energy prices remain a concern.

Russian energy giant Gazprom said Wednesday that it had stopped gas supplies transiting through Ukraine due to the expiration of key agreements and the lack of renewal by the Ukrainian side.

Gazprom said Ukraine had repeatedly and unequivocally refused to extend these agreements, leaving the Russian company without the technical and legal means to continue the gas transit through Ukraine.

Austria is one of the European countries directly affected by the end of the supply, and while the Austrian government has sought to give assurances that gas shortages will be avoided through additional imports from Germany and Italy, many believe that higher gas prices are inevitable.

The Austrian Gas Grid Management AG (AGGM) confirmed on Wednesday that gas deliveries through the affected pipeline network have ceased, but stressed that Austria's energy sector had been prepared, and that domestic gas supplies will remain secure.

However, experts from the Energie-Control Austria (E-Control), the Austrian regulatory authority for the electricity and gas markets, forecast a short-term rise of three to ten euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) for natural gas.

Austrian newspaper Wiener Zeitung (WZ) has also reported that while gas prices are unlikely to soar as they did when the Russia-Ukraine crisis erupted in 2022, even a 10 percent increase would represent a significant financial burden for households and businesses, which could further pressure inflation.

The supplies of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory stopped on January 1 at 08:00 Moscow time, Gazprom said Wednesday in a statement.

Ukraine's Ministry of Energy reported that the transit of Russian natural gas through its gas transmission system was stopped at 07:00 Kyiv time Wednesday. The decision was made in the interest of national security, the ministry said, noting that Ukraine had informed its international partners about the move in the prescribed manner.

Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon.

Voting began at 06:00 local time on Sunday. At 16:00, an election official at a polling station in Yangon's Latha township announced the closure of the polling station.

Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments).

The second phase of the election was held in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states. In the Yangon region, it was held in 16 townships, including the townships of Latha, Bahan, Kyimyindaing and Kawhmu.

"We welcome the election, which is expected to bring new changes to the country," said a Yangon resident.

"I hope the parties can lead us and make it a better country, which is why I support the election," said another voter.

Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election is being held in three phases, with the first phase held in 102 townships on Dec 28 last year, and the third phase scheduled for Jan 25 this year in 63 townships.

"The parliament is scheduled to convene in March. Following the conclusion of the session, the new government will officially take office in April. We hope that more foreign investment will flow into Myanmar, enabling the public to enjoy the opportunities generated by the country's economic development more fully," said Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) said that about 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the three phases of the election, adding that it plans to set up over 21,000 polling stations across the country for all three phases of the general election.

The election will produce the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.

Voting for 2nd phase of Myanmar's general election concludes