Despite initial criticism, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is confident that member states will agree to the proposed gas emergency plan. No one escapes the consequences of a possible cessation of gas supply. However, members less affected will have to share with those heavily dependent on Russian gas.
A gas crisis would affect every EU country because the individual economies are closely intertwined. “It is therefore important that all Member States contain demand, that everyone saves more and shares this with the Members most affected,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, shortly before a special meeting of the European Commission. energy ministers. Energy solidarity is a basic principle of the European treaties.
Russia would currently deliver only partially or not at all to 12 Member States. “That is why Europe must be prepared for the worst-case scenario: a complete shutdown of gas supply, sooner or later.” The faster you act, the safer you are and the more you can save. Failure to properly prepare for a supply freeze could lead to an average decline in economic output of 0.9 to 1.5 percent, according to the European Commission.
“Make a Safety Net”
Their proposals will be discussed at a special meeting of energy ministers in Brussels on Tuesday. In concrete terms, as reported, the goal is for all EU countries to reduce their gas consumption by at least 15 percent between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023. The comparative value should be the average consumption in the same period of the past five years. If there is a “real gas shortage”, it should also be possible to order a lower consumption. The specific measures taken by individual states should be left to them. It’s about creating a safety net for everyone so you can get through the next two winters safely, von der Leyen said.
Criticism of the gas emergency plan has already come from Portugal and Spain, among others. “We cannot make sacrifices that we have not been asked about,” said Teresa Ribera, Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition. Her Portuguese counterpart spoke of an “untenable proposal” that could not be accepted. The President of the European Commission is nevertheless certain “that energy ministers are aware of their responsibility.”
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.
