The 27 EU Heads of State and Government, including the Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) will again discuss measures against the explosion of energy prices in Europe on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. On the table is a package from the EU Commission that provides for joint gas purchases and financial relief for companies and citizens, but with no gas price cap, which 15 EU countries have asked for.
Austria completely rejects a price cap on Russian gas imports. In this case, the federal government sees Austria’s security of supply at risk, and Russia’s gas dependence is still around 50%.
The summit also focused on the Ukraine war and the situation in Iran. The summit aims to condemn indiscriminate Russian missile and drone attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure in Kyiv and Ukraine. A strategic discussion on China is also planned.