In an interview on Saturday, Austria’s EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn spoke out in favor of targeted support for low-income households. He also announced a European emergency plan for the winter. The aim is to take appropriate measures to safeguard the energy.
EU Commissioner Hahn called for direct support in Ö1 “Mittagsjournal”: “If low-income households suffer from high energy prices, they should be given priority and immediate help”. The aim of the announced EU emergency plan is to take joint measures to ensure sufficient energy. In addition, they also want to create capacities to support other countries.
Important steps already taken
Decisive steps have already been taken in this regard. For example, the supply of liquefied gas has increased enormously. Own wagons are being considered for the transport of liquefied gas, so that in the future also inland areas, such as Austria, can be supplied from other sources and corners.
“Completely different prices possible”
Hahn is also in favor of promoting a European energy price: “If we work together as buyers, we can achieve completely different prices in the international market.” In addition, not least because of the war in Ukraine, there is a strong trend towards renewable energy.
EU accession candidacy as an important signal
As a former EU Commissioner responsible for the European Neighborhood Policy and the enlargement negotiations, Hahn also commented on Ukraine’s candidate status. He sees this as an important political signal, but emphasized that as long as war rages on, no corresponding negotiations can take place. “There is no discounted membership status,” Hahn says.
Source: Krone
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