Switzerland signed a gas solidarity agreement with Germany and Italy on Tuesday, the Swiss Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) reported.
The Swiss government authorised the head of DETEC Albert Rosti to sign the agreement on 15 March. The three countries agreed to help each other with gas supplies in case of emergency.
Rosti signed the deal with German Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeck, who is also German federal minister for economic affairs and climate protection, and Italian Environment and Energy Minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, during a business visit to Berlin.
The deal means that Switzerland can request assistance from both countries in supplying gas to Swiss consumers in the event of a declared emergency, according to a press release. Switzerland could also be asked for solidarity in response in case of an emergency.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, energy supply has become a key issue in Europe, which has suffered from a lack of gas supplies from Russia and a halt in Russian oil imports. Energy prices have risen, leading to concerns about the security of energy supply.
