Parliament's Grand Committee on Friday announced Finland's support of an EU Commission proposal to reduce natural gas consumption in Europe by 15 percent.

On Wednesday, the European body proposed for all EU countries to reduce gas use by 15 percent from the beginning of August until the end of March next year. The reduction would be based on average natural gas consumption levels during 2016-2021.

The goal of the cutbacks is to ensure adequate gas supplies for winter, as there are concerns Russia could further disrupt or completely shut off its natural gas supply to Europe.

In a statement on Friday, Finland's Grand Committee said that the focus of security of supply and preparedness measures should be market-based, adding that it is important to take into account member states' expertise about their individual situations.

The committee discussed the plans to reduce gas consumption on Wednesday with Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä (Cen), who submitted a report about an extraordinary EU ministers' meeting next week, concerning member states' security of energy supply and other measures to be implemented before winter.

A decision-making body, the Grand Committee expresses Parliament's stance on EU-decided legislative, budget and treaty issues.