European energy ministers decided to meet again on November 24 to try to pass a package of measures to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis, after they exposed the ongoing disagreement over the gas price ceiling.
During the summit on Thursday and Friday, the leaders of 27 countries asked the European Commission to urgently provide them with “concrete solutions” on joint gas purchases and regulation of the wholesale gas market, as well as setting a price ceiling on gas used to generate electricity, despite Berlin’s reservation.
And all of these files were discussed on Tuesday in Luxembourg by ministers who pressured Brussels to quickly bring legislative proposals to the table to move their talks forward.
The idea of setting a ceiling on the price of gas used by power plants, a decision strongly defended by France and rejected by Berlin, was fomented in discussions after the Commission circulated a document that included negative implications if the measure were to expand in the European Union while as it currently applies only in Spain and Portugal.
Brussels refers in particular to the risks of inflation in gas consumption in Europe, different financial costs depending on countries and the risk of subsidizing electricity exports to other countries.
“Now countries must find a solution to this export problem or share the financial burden,” Energy Commissioner Kadri Simpson told the press.
She added that “this review was necessary before the committee could develop a legislative proposal” for this mechanism, and “another precondition is to get enough support from the states to move the proposal forward.”
On the contrary, French Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runach believes that it is up to the Commission.
“We need a proposal to continue our discussions! It is clear that the Commission and many Member States do not want this Iberian model… but for a correct assessment, we need details,” said Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Josef Sekila. .
German Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck stressed that limiting emissions is “not the right tool”.
Moreover, the recent fall in wholesale gas prices should not stop Europeans from putting in place a mechanism to curb market volatility, Sekela warned, noting that the fall has not been reflected in consumer prices and that prices could rise again when the EU replenishes its gas reserves. stock next year.
Source: AFP.