10-09-09 Poland faces shortages of as much as 800 mm cm of gas this year if it fails to reach a long-term supply deal with Russia, a deputy treasury minister said.
In January, some Polish companies led by state-controlled chemical producers were forced to cut production after a Russia-Ukraine row reduced gas supplies by a quarter. Since then, Warsaw has been in discussions with Moscow, which supplies some two-thirds of Poland's gas needs, over a new long-term contract after eliminating an Ukrainian intermediary, but the talks have been at a stalemate.

"This year, Poland may be 700 mm cm to 800 mm cm short," Deputy Treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski told. "The shortfall will depend on the winter and the requirements of manufacturers."
The two sides were scheduled for further talks later this month.
"In October we must reach some kind of an agreement," Budzanowski said.