Latvian PM considers rise in gas prices in Europe artificial

Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins made a statement on November 28 that the rise in energy prices in Europe is of artificial origin, Report informs referring to TASS.

Karins was speaking at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

“We are faced (in Europe) with an artificial increase in gas prices,” the prime minister said.

Karins admitted that Russia’s Gazprom is “fulfilling its commitments under contracts with Europe,” but at the same time said that the gas storage facilities owned by this company in Germany and Austria were allegedly left practically empty, which “creates an artificial shortage, which leads to higher prices.”