Usula von der Leyen proposed an “additional investment” so that the Member States of the European Union (EU) can “accelerate” the “necessary” projects in the energy area, “modernize the energy infrastructure and ensure European competitiveness in the global market ”. Addressing the European Parliament, this WednesdayThe President of the European Commission highlighted the importance of “boosting energy” through an investment made “together, as Europeans”.
“We have to protect our single market. It is the strength of our European Union and it is where the wealth of the European Union lies,” said Von der Leyen. “Without a common solution, we risk fragmentation. If the member states act alone, we run the risk of a fragmentation that we do not want. We have to do something about it. That is why it is essential that we maintain the same field of action within the European Union and our market”.
Highlighting how the war waged by the Russians “causes financial difficulties and places a burden” on European citizens and the European economy, the European Commission president said the EU’s resilience is “remarkable” but that it is necessary continue to work “on our resolutions”. “We have already made important decisions. (…) The measures we have adopted will provide us with the first layer of protection. And thanks to this, we will be able to go to the next level.”
Putin has been using energy as a weapon, causing economic and social hardship.
The measures we have put in place provide us with a first cushion of protection.
We will now step forward to tackle rising energy costs ↓
https://t.co/fDf1PiaBhD– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 5, 2022
The “next level” will be discussed this week in Prague at the EU leaders’ meeting. According to Von der Leyen, “it is necessary” to reach an agreement to “stop these crazy peaks that we have had in gas imports” and “strengthen our energy platform.” “It’s in our collective interest,” he said. “After the winter, we will have to fill the warehouses and it is not sustainable that we have a scenario in which the member states bet among themselves in the global market, raising prices.”
The president of the European Commission also revealed that the EU is willing to negotiate a “ceiling” on gas prices “used to produce electricity.” “This ceiling will be a first step in a global structural reform of our electricity market. But I think we also have to look at gas prices beyond the electricity market, industry, and heating,” he added. “We will work with member states to lower gas prices and limit the impact of Russian price gouging. Because if we look at the gas price curve, we can see the manipulation of gas prices by Russia and that has to stop.”
Addressing the issue of the latest attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Von der Leyen defended the need to take measures so that these situations do not recur, in particular the identification of “weak points” in the gas supply lines, the preparation of “sudden interruption actions” of supply and increased surveillance through satellites.
Source: Observadora
