GAZPROM UP

WSJ. MOSCOW--Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.RS) said Friday its gas exports to Europe increased more than 2% in the first quarter despite warmer weather than is usual for the time of year.

European countries, which get about a quarter of their gas from Russia, imported 43 billion cubic meters of gas between January and March, which is almost 1 bcm more than in the first quarter of 2013, Gazprom said in a statement.

Despite European politicians pledging to decrease dependency on Russian gas, Germany, Gazprom's largest buyer, imported 10.4 bcm of gas, which is 15% more than a year ago.

The largest increase was registered in the U.K., which is relatively independent from Gazprom. The U.K. imported 4.4 bcm of gas, which represents a more than 30% increase from the first quarter of 2013.

Turkey imported 4% more gas from Russia, and Italy did 6% more in the first quarter of 2014 from the same period of 2013, Gazprom said.