European Comission (EC) launched an infringement procedure against Romania on security of gas supply, adding that Bucharest has not notified the adoption of preventive action plan and an emergency plan in this regard, the Commission said in a statement.
“The Commission has formally requested Romania to ensure full compliance with EU rules on security of gas supply. Regulation (EU) no. 994/2010 on security of gas supply is aimed at ensuring that Member States are well prepared to deal with any disruption. To this end, member states should allow bidirectional flow of gas across borders and prepare in advance preventive action plans and emergency plans”, said the EC.
EU’s executive notes that it launched the infringement against Romania (reasoned opinion) because it has not notified the Commission to adopt a preventive action plan and an emergency plan, as required by the regulation on security of gas supply. The Commission also states that it was not informed on decisions on bidirectional flows of gas.
The competent authorities of the member states were to adopt preventive action plans and emergency plans already up to 3 December 2012. Decisions regarding bidirectional flow of gas had to be adopted until 3 September 2012.
EC warns that Romania has two months to comply with its obligations; otherwise, the Commission may decide to submit the case to the Court of Justice.
“It’s an old issue that the Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion. Once we know its contents, we will be able to see what steps we need to take”, said to Mediafax the Romanian Agent to the Court of Justice of the EU, Horaţiu Radu.
“We are already in dialogue with the EC on this subject and I already sent a response to the formal notice. Essentially it’s about interconnection with neighboring states. Basically, the interconnection exists, but it does not operate under the standard normally required by the Commission”, says Horațiu Radu, expressing hope that in two months Romania will comply “fully” with the EU regulation on security of gas supply.