The heads of State or Government of the European Union “agree” that it is necessary to “work” on measures to curb the rise in energy prices. At the end of a debate on the proposals of the European Commission to face the energy crisis, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, guaranteed that the 27 will continue looking for solutions to the energy crisis.
“There is a strong and unanimously shared determination to work together at the European level to achieve three goals: lower prices, ensure security of supply and continue to work to reduce demand,” reported Charles Michel.
For the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who this week put on the table a package of measures, which include, for example, the joint purchase of gas, the summit achieved the expected results at this stage.
“The leaders gave the strategic direction that we wanted on the proposal that we put on the table two days ago and that will be discussed next week, on Tuesday, by the energy ministers,” he said.
Still without decisions, President Charles Michel believes that “very soon” Europeans will be able to expect the practical results of the measures.
“I am sure that the effects will be seen very soon, because I think we have also sent a clear signal to the markets. It means that we are ready to act together, that we are capable of acting together and that there is a strong political will,” he said.
The meeting was marked by strong disagreements, specifically on the proposal for temporary limits on gas reference prices and on the solidarity rules for emergency supplies to other Member States. The joint purchase of gas was the initiative that generated the fewest divisions among the 27.
The Commission’s measures to deal with the rise in energy prices return to the European discussion, at an extraordinary meeting of energy ministers, scheduled for next Tuesday.
Source: TSF
