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EU to meet as gas supplies fall EU to meet as gas supplies fall
(30 minutes later)
European Union officials are to meet in Brussels to assess the impact of falling gas supplies as a result of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.European Union officials are to meet in Brussels to assess the impact of falling gas supplies as a result of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.
Several EU countries have reported a drop in supplies after Russia cut off gas to Ukraine on New Year's Day over unpaid bills and a new price contract.Several EU countries have reported a drop in supplies after Russia cut off gas to Ukraine on New Year's Day over unpaid bills and a new price contract.
Officials in Bulgaria, Greece and EU candidate Croatia, told Reuters supplies were down on Monday morning.Officials in Bulgaria, Greece and EU candidate Croatia, told Reuters supplies were down on Monday morning.
Russian gas giant Gazprom accuses Kiev of stealing gas meant for EU customers.Russian gas giant Gazprom accuses Kiev of stealing gas meant for EU customers.
Pipes across Ukraine carry about a fifth of the EU's gas needs.Pipes across Ukraine carry about a fifth of the EU's gas needs.
Gazprom says it can no longer count on Ukraine as a transit route to EU countries and is seeking alternatives.Gazprom says it can no longer count on Ukraine as a transit route to EU countries and is seeking alternatives.
Moscow can't pretend this is purely a commercial dispute Masha Lipmann, Russian-based commentator Russian gas theories abound The Ukrainians say the pipeline network is not working properly after Moscow cut supplies.Moscow can't pretend this is purely a commercial dispute Masha Lipmann, Russian-based commentator Russian gas theories abound The Ukrainians say the pipeline network is not working properly after Moscow cut supplies.
Among the countries to have reported falling pressure in their pipelines since Russia reduced supplies are Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic and Greece.Among the countries to have reported falling pressure in their pipelines since Russia reduced supplies are Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic and Greece.
In some cases supplies had dropped by 30%.In some cases supplies had dropped by 30%.
The Czech Republic said its levels were back to normal by Monday.The Czech Republic said its levels were back to normal by Monday.
However, none of the countries were reporting that consumers were suffering supply cuts. Many EU countries, and Ukraine itself, have built up reserves since a similar dispute between Gazprom and Ukraine at the beginning of 2006 left some countries with shortages for days.However, none of the countries were reporting that consumers were suffering supply cuts. Many EU countries, and Ukraine itself, have built up reserves since a similar dispute between Gazprom and Ukraine at the beginning of 2006 left some countries with shortages for days.
Europe's gas pipeline network Enlarge MapEurope's gas pipeline network Enlarge Map
The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency, is to convene Monday's meeting of envoys in Brussels to discuss the row.The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency, is to convene Monday's meeting of envoys in Brussels to discuss the row.
The meeting will discuss the impact on gas supplies, but the bloc is divided on how to respond to both Russia and Ukraine.The meeting will discuss the impact on gas supplies, but the bloc is divided on how to respond to both Russia and Ukraine.
While both sides have been lobbying European states for their support, there is a marked reluctance on the part of the EU to get involved, says the BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels.While both sides have been lobbying European states for their support, there is a marked reluctance on the part of the EU to get involved, says the BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels.
Therefore its response will probably be limited to an appeal for a swift end to the dispute, our correspondent adds.Therefore its response will probably be limited to an appeal for a swift end to the dispute, our correspondent adds.

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