Austrias gas importer OMV to transfer euros to Russia for payment

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy Alexandra SchwarzGoerlichp

　　pBERLIN Reuters – Austrian energy group OMV joins other European companies that transfer euro payments for Russian gas to Gazprombank, it said on Friday, adding that it expects no problems through a conversion to roubles. pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　p“We have now implemented a sanctionscompliant payment process that ensures gas deliveries can be paid in a timely manner,” an OMV spokesperson told Reuters. “We consider our payment obligations fulfilled with the transfer of the euro amount.” p

　　pThe European Unions executive told member states this week they can keep buying Russian gas without breaching sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, EU officials said.p

　　pThe Commission advised companies against opening a bank account in roubles at Gazprombank to do this, as requested by the Kremlin, but has not explicitly said doing so would breach sanctions in its formal written guidance to governments on the issue.p

　　pGermanys VNG came out first earlier this month, saying it would transfer euros to a Gazprombank account for rouble conversion, in a move aiming to continue to ensure supply.p

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　　pp Reporting by Alexandra SchwarzGoerlich, writing by Kirsti Knolle, Editing by Miranda Murrayp

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