Agreement signed with Denmark on gas imports and pipeline construction

Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek yesterday described as good for Poland the contract on importing gas from Denmark and the agreement on constructing a gas pipeline between the two countries. Speaking at the signing ceremony, which was also attended by Danish prime minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Buzek said, "The diversification of gas supply sources is an increase in the security of the Polish economy." He went on to say that the deals, between Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG) and Danish oil and gas giant DONG, were in accordance with EU norms, which stipulate that a member country should have at least two gas suppliers. At present, 90% of Poland's gas supplies come from Russia. The pipeline, which is planned for completion by 2004, will be 230 kilometers long. It will link Rodvig in Denmark with Niechorze in Northwest Poland, across the Baltic Sea. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1, Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 3) A.K.