EU countries pledge to release 42.6 mln barrels of strategic oil reserves

European Union (EU) member states have pledged to accelerate the release of 42.6 million barrels of strategic oil reserves over the coming months, nearly half of which will be diesel, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen said Thursday. EU energy ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss energy security ahead of the winter, energy prices and measures to stabilize diesel supplies.