Jan. 3 (Bloomberg) -- A dispute over gas prices between Russia and Ukraine, which yesterday disrupted supplies into the European Union, may drag on for weeks, the EU's energy chief said.

``I expect in a couple of weeks they should'' solve it, EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said in an interview in Brussels today. An agreement by the two sides to resume talks on the issue marks ``just a temporary calm down.''

EU countries including France, Italy, Austria and Hungary reported a drop in gas deliveries after Russia decided on January 1 to halt shipments to Ukraine in a dispute over prices. Europe relies on Russia's state-owned OAO Gazprom for about a quarter of its natural gas needs.

In the event of a gas supply crisis beyond the control of individual companies or countries Piebalgs would be responsible for co-ordinating EU actions such as cross-border transfers of fuel.

-- Editors: Costelloe

To contact the reporters on this story: Duncan Hooper in Brussels at dhooper@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 3, 2006 11:39 EST