When looking for alternatives to Russian gas, EU countries sometimes have to pay much higher prices, especially for liquefied natural gas. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is now accusing some supplier countries of “moon prices”.
De Groene politician mentioned the United States in this regard. “The US approached us when oil prices skyrocketed, and as a result, Europe’s national oil reserves were tapped. I think such solidarity would also be good for cutting gas prices,” Habeck told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung on Wednesday, referring to the government in Washington.
According to the minister, the EU should “bundle its market power and orchestrate smart and synchronized buying behavior of the EU countries, so that individual EU countries do not outbid each other and drive up world market prices”. European market power is “enormous” and just needs to be exploited.
Aid Package Negotiations
At the national level, strong negotiations are currently underway between the federal government in Berlin and the Länder on an aid package. With his help, consumers and businesses should be protected from high energy prices as a result of the war in Ukraine. Prices for gas and electricity must be capped. There should be liquidity and equity support for companies. Details are still open. The aid must be financed through loans.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
