French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he sees no clear evidence of the need for a new gas pipeline between France and Spain to defend a strategy of common energy purchase in Europe.
“We need more electrical interconnection. But I am not convinced that we need more gas interconnection, whose impacts, especially on the environment, and especially on the ecosystem, are more important. (…) There is no proof of his need”Macron defended during a press conference, after meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Macron showed up “for common gas purchasing practices” in Europe, who says countries should buy “cheaper”, and that they should try to limit the price of Russian gas supplied through pipelines.
“We are in favor of common gas purchasing practices (…) This would allow Europe, buying together, to buy cheaper”assured the French president, after a conversation with Scholz about the energy crisis in Europe.
“If the European Commission decides to limit the price of gas purchased from Russia through gas pipelines, France will support this measure”assured Macron, who was also in favor of new price control mechanisms at the European level.
“We argue for a European contribution mechanism (…), which would therefore be requested from energy companies”defended the French leader as the European Commission prepares a plan to reform energy prices.
“This contribution can then be returned to the countries to finance their specific national measures”Macron argued, adding that he also wants “measures to combat speculative practices”.
Source: DN
