The European Commission understands that there is a debate on this issue, critical for the bloc’s economies, which will take place in the Energy Council
In the face of a possible gas supply cut by Russia, a European response will be needed. This is how the European Commission defended it this Friday, after the reactions of countries like Spain that have rejected the Brussels plan to save 15% of gas until March. “We understand that there will be an intense debate because energy is a critical issue for all Member States, but if the pandemic and the war have shown anything, it is that we must launch a European response,” defended the spokesman for the Community Executive, Eric Mamer.
This important debate will take place next week, at the Energy Council that will take place in Brussels and in which the countries will be able to show their position regarding the voluntary reductions proposed by the Executive of Ursula von der Leyen. “It is asking a lot, but we must do it. Saving energy now will allow less harsh measures to be applied in the future, ”said the German on Wednesday, in the presentation of the proposal.
The main objective of the plan is to accelerate the filling of European gas reserves, which are currently at 74%, to ensure supply during the next two winters. Several countries, however, have been opposed to adjusting their consumption. The governments of Greece and Portugal joined the Spanish in ensuring that this measure is “unsustainable” and “disproportionate.” In fact, Greece has indicated that “it will do everything possible” not to adopt it. Spain, for its part, will attend the energy meeting with a counteroffer in terms of solidarity and will propose to increase its gas exports to the maximum to avoid adjusting consumption by 15%.
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