EU official against cutting Russia gas ties

A senior European Union official sayshe opposes cutting back gas ties with Russia in the next few years but the blocshould work on diversifying supplies, according to AP.Russia is a major European gas supplier, and mounting tensions over Ukraine haveraised concerns about possible disruption.In an interview with Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, EU EnergyCommissioner Guenther Oettinger conceded there's a risk of Russia cutting suppliesto Ukraine, an important transit country, over unpaid billsHowever, Oettinger was quoted Saturday as saying: "We agree that the gas sectorshould not be a priority in possible economic sanctions - whether on the European or Russian side."He says he's "against reducing or even breaking off gas relations with Russia in thecoming years. However, we must pursue our diversification strategy.