Baltic States Stop Russian Gas Imports

View of the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) receiving station, the Nord Stream 2 part of the landfall area in Lubmin on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, taken on September 21, 2021. John MacDougall, AFP
View of the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) receiving station, the Nord Stream 2 part of the landfall area in Lubmin on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, taken on September 21, 2021. John MacDougall, AFP
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Baltic States Stop Russian Gas Imports

View of the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) receiving station, the Nord Stream 2 part of the landfall area in Lubmin on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, taken on September 21, 2021. John MacDougall, AFP
View of the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) receiving station, the Nord Stream 2 part of the landfall area in Lubmin on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, taken on September 21, 2021. John MacDougall, AFP

The head of Latvia's natural gas storage operator said Saturday the Baltic states were no longer importing Russian natural gas.

"If there were still any doubts about whether there may be any trust in deliveries from Russia, current events clearly show us that there is no more trust," said Uldis Bariss, CEO of Conexus Baltic Grid.

"Since April 1st Russian natural gas is no longer flowing to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania," he told Latvian radio.

He added that the Baltic market was currently being served by gas reserves stored underground in Latvia, AFP said.

The move comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to leverage Russia's status as an energy power.

With his economy crippled by unprecedented international sanctions, Putin warned EU members that they would need to set up ruble accounts to pay for Russian gas.

He said Thursday that existing contracts would be halted if the payments were not made.

While the United States banned the import of Russian oil and gas, the European Union -- which received around 40 percent of its gas supplies from Russia in 2021 -- has retained deliveries from Moscow.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called on the rest of the EU to follow the Baltic example.

"From this month on - no more Russian gas in Lithuania," he said on Twitter.

"Years ago my country made decisions that today allow us with no pain to break energy ties with the aggressor," he added.

"If we can do it, the rest of Europe can do it too!"



Saudi Arabia, Comoros Sign MoU on Economic Cooperation

The MoU underscores the exchange of knowledge to boost economic collaboration. SPA
The MoU underscores the exchange of knowledge to boost economic collaboration. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Comoros Sign MoU on Economic Cooperation

The MoU underscores the exchange of knowledge to boost economic collaboration. SPA
The MoU underscores the exchange of knowledge to boost economic collaboration. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Investment of Comoros have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for enhancing and diversifying economic cooperation based on mutual interest.
The MoU, signed by the Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim and Minister of Economy, Industry, and Investment of the Comoros Moustoifa H. Mohamed, outlines key objectives aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

It underscores the exchange of knowledge to boost economic collaboration, fostering communication and cooperation between government entities and the private sector.
The MoU also seeks to facilitate visits, communications, and events that promote interaction between individuals, officials, and economic institutions. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of supporting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in bilateral economic activities.