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Finnish minister to negotiate with Germany over Uniper

Majority-state-owned Fortum owns German energy firm Uniper, which has struggled financially as a result of Russia cutting off gas exports.

Tytti Tuppurainen eduskunnassa torstaina.
Finland's Minister of Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen (SDP) will travel to Berlin for negotiations over Uniper's financial difficulties. Image: Jorma Vihtonen / Yle
  • Yle News

Finland's Minister of Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen (SDP) will travel to Berlin on Thursday over Uniper's financial difficulties.

Tuppurainen is set to meet with German government officials and executives of Fortum and Uniper.

Uniper is a subsidiary of the majority-state-owned Finnish energy firm Fortum.

Uniper filed for support from the German government, as it is the country's largest natural gas importer and has run into difficulties due to Russia halting its gas exports.

However, in an interview with STT, Tuppurainen was not particularly warm to the idea that Fortum needed to offer more funding to Uniper, as the Finnish firm already provided 8 billion euros through a financing arrangement.

"This is a very significant support from Fortum to Uniper and shows that Fortum is committed to supporting Uniper's survival in this gas crisis. However, in the current situation, we, as Fortum's majority shareholder, do not see any possibility for Fortum to further recapitalise Uniper," Tutturainen said.

Last week, Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck called on Fortum to provide more support to its subsidiary.

"It [Uniper] belongs to someone, someone who is solvent and can provide support," Habeck said, referring to Fortum as the solvent parent company.

The negotiations on Thursday will seek to find a solution to Uniper's financial problems.