Greece has opposed the adoption of the European Union’s new 21st anti-Russian sanctions package, which includes a ban on the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries, citing its business interests, The Financial Times reported.
– “Greece is opposing a new round of EU sanctions against Russian gas to protect Dynagas, the shipping company,” the newspaper said.
– The newspaper said, citing its sources, that Greece’s representative to the EU told his counterparts on Wednesday that the planned sanctions against Russian LNG would “ruin” Dynagas.
– The Financial Times said, with reference to the Equasis maritime data website, that Dynagas operates 27 gas tankers. These include a third of the fleet of Arc7 tankers, which are built robustly to handle the icy Arctic waters close to Yamal LNG’s plant, the newspaper said.
– The Greek representative said that Dynagas will be unable to use these vessels in other areas and will have to sell them to non-Western countries. Such vessels cost around $300 million.
– EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that EU countries have yet to reach an agreement on the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions, but they are likely to do it soon.
– “I also regret that we do not have an agreement on the 21st package. Although, I must say that we are quite close,” Kallas said at a press conference after an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
– Western media reported that the talks were postponed until July 23.