Partly due to Germany’s reservations, the EU countries have once again failed to agree on a European gas price cap. “Some questions could not be clarified today and must remain open,” said German Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) on Tuesday after hours of negotiations in Brussels. Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) was disappointed.
Habeck explained that progress had also been made at the special meeting of energy ministers on technical issues and the structure of the mechanism. It is still unclear how high the price should be. According to the German economy minister, this issue should be clarified on Monday at the next meeting of energy ministers.
According to Habeck, it was still unclear whether the states would come to a consensus. “An agreement that everyone is happy with is high diplomatic art,” he said. According to him, it could also be that a decision is taken by qualified majority – if necessary on Germany’s vote. “It may happen that you find a solution, if necessary through majority decisions,” he said. In this specific case, at least 15 of the 27 EU countries, which together make up at least 65% of the EU’s total population, would have to agree.
Gewessler lamented the failed negotiations. “We could have decided on concrete measures against the high gas prices, but some states have prevented any decision by blocking each other,” said the politician. Now it’s time to renegotiate and try again in a week. “But we also have to be aware that it will be very late by then. A lot of precious time has passed. This time should have been used.”
EU countries have been at odds for months
For months, EU countries have been arguing over measures to control gas prices, which have fluctuated widely in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine. Under pressure from a large number of states, the European Commission had proposed limiting the price for gas sold on the TTF wholesale site to 275 euros per megawatt hour, subject to conditions. Such a price cap would affect large customers who trade there – not end users.
Source: Krone
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