EU countries reach deal on emergency gas cuts for this winter

FILE PHOTO: Illustration shows natural gas pipeline and EU flag

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union countries agreed on Tuesday to an emergency regulation to curb their gas use this winter, as Europe prepares for a winter of uncertain supplies from Russia.

"This was not a Mission Impossible! Ministers have reached a political agreement on gas demand reduction ahead of the upcoming winter," the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency, wrote in a tweet.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett, Marine Strauss)