Karins sees other alternatives if Russia stops selling gas to Europe

RIGA - There are other alternatives if Russia decides not to sell natural gas to Europe due to sanctions, said Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) in an interview with the Latvian public television today.

"We should remember that 92 percent of our trade is not with Russia. It is some 8 percent that have remained with Russia. If we compare to what we had in 2000 when we were fully dependent," he said.

At the same time, there are sectors where this percentage is higher. However, considering earlier experience, business representatives will be able to adapt.

"Our business representatives have proved - if Russia's market closes, they find a different market," said Karins.

Commenting on possible rise of natural gas prices, the prime minister said that "we have underground gas storage facility" and there are no such threats for this winter or spring.

"In any case, we have gas stocks right now. Looking at the next season, we should order liquefied natural gas cargos that can port at Klaipeda and be pumped to Incukalns," he said.

In his words, If Russia decides not to sell gas to Europe, Latvia, "we have other places where we can buy it". "We will see whether Russia really is ready to stop sales because it means it does not get the money we are paying for this gas," he said.