Poland, which has rejected the idea of expanding infrastructure on its territory for supplying Russian gas to Europe on the Yamal-Europe 2 pipeline, is now trying to block Gazprom's expanded access to OPAL, the eastern continuation of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, in order to ensure utilization of the Polish gas transmission system, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview on Rossiya 24 television.

Commenting on Warsaw's complaints over the European Commission decision to provide Gazprom expanded access to OPAL's capacity, Novak said: "These are unwarranted statements. Because for us, the gas pipeline through Poland is the most economically effective route, the shortest one. Construction of an additional gas pipeline was even proposed. But Poland refused. That is why we don't understand the essence of these statements, if we are expanding our infrastructure and Poland earlier refused to develop the infrastructure through its territory."

"Gas consumption in Europe will rise and production will fall. An additional 100-150 bcm will be needed in the coming 15 years. We are ready to compete on this market with other suppliers. The infrastructure is needed, economically effective infrastructure. Supplying gas on Nord Stream 1 today is one-third cheaper than via Ukraine's gas transportation system. The effectiveness of supplies needs to be looked at," he said.