The European Union’s Heads of State or Government ‘agree’ that measures must be ‘worked’ on to halt the rise in energy prices. At the end of a debate on the European Commission’s proposals to tackle the energy crisis, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, assured that the 27 will continue to look for solutions to the energy crisis.
“There is a strong, 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,” said Charles Michel.
For the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who presented a package of measures this week, including the joint procurement of gas, the summit has produced the intended results at this stage.
“Leaders have given the strategic direction we wanted on the proposal we put on the table two days ago and which will be discussed by energy ministers next Tuesday,” he said.
Still without decisions, President Charles Michel believes that Europeans will be able to wait “very soon” for the practical results of the measures.
“I am confident that the effects will be visible very soon as I think we have also sent a clear signal to the markets. It means we are ready to act together, that we are able to act together act and that there is a strong political will,” he said.
The meeting was marked by strong differences of opinion, namely on the proposal of temporary limits on gas reference prices and on the solidarity rules for emergency supplies to other Member States. The joint purchasing of gas was the initiative that created the least division among the 27.
The Commission’s measures to tackle the rise in energy prices will be reflected in the European discussion, at an extraordinary meeting of energy ministers scheduled for next Tuesday.
Source: DN
