Prime Min Buzek comes closer to deal with Norway to build Baltic gas line

According to Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, it is very likely that a deal to build a gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea between Poland and Norway will be signed in July. Buzek announced the possibility after coming back from a summit of prime ministers organized by the Baltic Sea Countries Council. "The prime minister of Norway will pay a visit to our country in July and then we would like to finalize the project," said Buzek. Poland has already made a deal with the Norwegians to purchase 500 million cubic meters of gas annually, starting this autumn. However, Norway could sell Poland as much as 5 billion cubic meters of gas but transport poses a major problem. With the construction of a new pipeline through the Baltic Sea to Niechorze, the problem should be solved. The Norwegian side can cover the costs provided the deal is profitable. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 25) A.Z.