Karl Nehammer has warned of an “embargo on Russian gas through the back door”. “Austria favors a gas price ceiling,” the chancellor said Friday before the informal summit of 27 EU heads of state and government in Prague. However, the aim must be to support the electricity producers, the supply of gas must not become more scarce. “We need smart contracts and good negotiations,” emphasized the ÖVP boss (see video above).
One option for the EU would be to negotiate “quantity frameworks” with countries like Norway, purchase gas at a fixed price and then make it available to electricity producers, explains Nehammer.
Asked whether poorer countries can afford it, the chancellor replied: “The European Union’s contribution to solidarity lies in the fact that if we have 27, we will have more shoulders to spread the burden.”
EU Council President Charles Michel emphasized that high energy prices put enormous pressure on households and businesses. Michel also expects continued EU support for Ukraine from the summit.
Borrell: ‘Russia is playing a game with prizes’
EU foreign policy officer Josep Borrell said high energy prices should also be seen from a security perspective. According to Borrell, Russia is “playing a game” with prizes. He referred to the decision of the oil alliance OPEC to cut oil production.
Borrell also announced that he would ask EU countries for another tranche to increase military aid to Ukraine, as well as a joint EU military training mission to Kiev. This would increase the EU’s combined military aid to €3 billion.
Von der Leyen full of confidence
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said EU countries are ready to discuss a price cap. There are several models on the table. “I am confident that we will find a solution.” No resolutions are planned in Prague, it is about preparing decisions for the EU summit in Brussels in two weeks.
“We need to bring down gas prices in Europe,” said Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins. “A price cap would be nice.” However, the upper limit should not be so low that suppliers no longer sell their gas to Europe. Germany is concerned about supplying countries such as Norway, the US or Algeria.
Source: Krone
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