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Central European countries amp up pressure on EU over German gas tariff

4 main European countries have actually stepped up pressure on Brussels to act against Germany over a gas tariff they state weakens their energy security, a document seen showed.

The levy is a legacy of the energy crisis that peaked in 2022 after Moscow slashed gas circulations to Europe. It places an extra cost on fuel secured of Germany's gas storage, to try to recoup the billions of euros it invested in purchasing non-Russian gas at sky-high rates to prevent fuel scarcities.

Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia have said the step hurts their efforts to stop Russian gas, by making it more expensive to purchase non-Russian fuel delivered by means of Germany.

In the joint document, the four nations urged the Commission to put words into concrete actions to fix the concern.

The Commission has actually prepared legal action against Germany over the tariff, viewed as flouting the EU's single market rules, according to people acquainted with the matter, but, so far, has not launched a lawsuit.

Together with the set up end of transit of Russian gas via Ukraine by the end of this year, the levy will significantly lower the security of supply of the whole CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) area, the four countries stated.

Austria and Hungary remain greatly based on Russian gas. Austria's energy minister said in February the nation is having a hard time to diversify its supplies and her ministry is looking into ending energy business OMV's long-term gas agreement with Russia.

EU nations' energy ministers and the Commission are expected to talk about the German levy at a conference in Brussels on Thursday, EU authorities said.

Germany's economy ministry did not immediately respond to a. ask for comment. The ministry has formerly said the levy. is nondiscriminatory and other EU nations had actually benefited throughout. the energy crisis from Germany rapidly filling its gas storage,. the biggest in the bloc.

The Commission stated last week it remained in talks with the. German government, having raised doubts about the legality of. the levy. EU single market guidelines forbid tariffs on trade between. member countries.

(source: Reuters)