Austrian Energy Minister appointed a commission of experts to study whether Vienna can terminated the gas supply contract between OMV (OMV) and "Gazprom" in order to reduce its dependence on Russia, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Leonor Gevesler from "The Greens" said in February that it wanted to end the treaty, which runs until 2040.
Party members of Chancellor Karl Nehammer's Austrian People's Party, which governs in coalition with the "Greens - Green Alternative" party, also expressed the position that Austria should part with Russian gas. Before the parliamentary elections on September 29, however, the two parties in the coalition have growing disagreements.
Gevesler said that OMV has agreed to give access to the contract to members of the commission, the terms of which are strictly confidential.
The commission, which includes economists and lawyers, is led by retired judge and former MP Irmgard Griess and law professor Andreas Kletechka.
The commission's initial findings will be presented "by the fall" before the final report is released at the end of the year, the Energy Department said in a statement, without specifying whether that would happen before the fall election.
The far-right Austrian Freedom Party, which is accused by its political opponents of being dangerously pro-Russian, leads the polls.
However, she claims that she is simply defending Austria's neutrality.
The gas supply contract between Vienna and Moscow was extended until 2040 in 2018, DPA recalls.
It includes a fixed obligation to purchase large quantities of natural gas and provides for payment even if the gas is not delivered. From January to May 2024, more than 90 percent of Austria's gas imports come from Russia.