BRUSSELS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has no reason to be concerned over gas supplies due to the Ukraine crisis so far, an EU official said after Tuesday's EU energy ministers' meeting.
Greek Environment Minister Yannis Maniatis, whose country is chairing the rotating EU presidency, said will propose a package of measures next month to the European Council to achieve affordable energy prices in the future.
The ministers also discussed how wholesale and retail prices can be more closely aligned to reduce energy costs.
Regarding the impact of the Ukraine crisis on gas prices, EU commissioner for energy Gunther Oettinger said the EU had gas reserves after a mild winter.
He said the business relationship with Russia in gas remained stable.
"Gas is still flowing from Russia to member states in the EU. We are mutually dependent. EU needs gas and Russia needs money," said Oettinger.
Connie Hedegaard, European commissioner for climate action, called for EU's energy dependency to change.
"With the ongoing discussions on Ukraine, I think we have also seen the political implications of Europe being dependent on so much energy imported from outside," Hedegaard said, adding these political aspects would be part of discussions at the upcoming European Council on March 20-21.
By Xinhua
