(FAP, May 26)-European natural gas prices have recorded the longest weekly decline since 2007, as the economy shows few signs of significant recovery, confirming that demand is difficult to pick up. Benchmark natural gas futures fell 4.7 per cent at one point on Friday, before narrowing the decline and are set to record an eighth straight week of decline, widening to more than 66 per cent this year. Affected by persistent inflation and economic downturn, it is difficult for industrial enterprises to increase production.