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Added on the 12/11/2021 15:06:45 - Copyright : France 24 EN
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warns that the eurozone could fall into recession next year in the case of a total shutdown of Russian gas supplies. The "downside scenario" for 2023 foresees negative growth in the case of a "total shutdown of all Russian gas supply" and energy rationing in the eurozone, she said, after the ECB unleashed a record rate hike. SOUNDBITE
Algeria has helped Europe diversify its energy supplies by pumping more gas to Italy, French President Emmanuel Macron says during a visit to Africa's top gas exporter. Dismissing suggestions that Italy and France were "in competition" for Algerian gas, Macron welcoms a deal Algeria signed last month to pump more gas to Italy. The deal is "good for Italy, it's good for Europe and it improves the diversification of Europe," he tells reporters. SOUNDBITE TO COMPLETE VIDI32H44WP_EN & VIDI32H46TY_EN
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen warns that "Russia is blackmailing" EU member states and "using energy as a weapon." Russian President Vladimir Putin has played hot and cold in recent days with his threats to cut off gas deliveries to the bloc of 27 members, but Brussels is asking EU countries to prepare for the worst. SOUNDBITE
The European Commission urges EU countries to reduce their demand for natural gas by 15 percent over the coming winter months to overcome Russia's energy supply "blackmail". SOUNDBITE
In Luxembourg, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner says it is not yet possible for the EU to cut Russian gas imports as a sanction against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. SOUNDBITE
Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya vows the protest movement against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko will prevail despite a brutal crackdown by Minsk authorities, as she receives the EU's top rights prize. SOUNDBITE