Of . – 2022.10.20 16:23 (act 10.20.2022 16:43)
Chancellor Karl Nehammer attends the EU summit. ©AP
At the EU summit, the 27 EU heads of state and government, including Chancellor Karl Nehammer, will continue to discuss measures to tackle the energy crisis.
On the table is an EU Commission package that provides for joint gas purchases and financial relief for businesses and citizens, but no gas price cap that 15 EU countries have asked for. French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Berlin’s course on the energy crisis.
Despite widely differing positions in debates that have been taking place for months, EU Council President Charles Michel expressed confidence in Brussels that a deal is possible, even if it is likely to be difficult.
Macron will work with Scholz on a solution
There are differences, among other things, between the two largest EU countries, France and Germany. “I don’t think it’s good, either for Germany or for Europe, for you to isolate yourself,” Macron said on Thursday on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels. “We absolutely must maintain our unity.” He will work with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to find a solution.
EU summit: Germany rejects gas price cap
Germany is currently under criticism, among other things, because it rejects a European gas price cap that most EU countries are asking for. France supports this price cap, especially for gas used in electricity production. Macron spoke of “mechanisms to better separate gas and electricity prices”.
Energy crisis: Germany criticized for aid package
In addition, the German federal government has been criticized for the 200 billion euro relief package, as other states cannot afford such measures. Macron said he would advocate joint debt programs. Scholz rejects this. On Thursday, he pointed out that there was still a lot of money available from the EU support program created during the Corona crisis.
Scholz defended the German position
Scholz defended the German position on Thursday. “It is very clear that Germany has acted very sympathetically,” the German chancellor said in Brussels. The German government is lightening the burden on citizens, he said, alluding to the German “defense shield” of up to 200 billion euros. It is “exactly what France is doing, Italy is doing, what Spain is doing and many other countries are doing,” Scholz emphasized.
Scholz again rejects gas price ceiling
At the same time, he again rejected a European gas price ceiling. The EU must agree on concepts that also work, Scholz said. “Nobody wants to make theoretically good decisions afterwards, but there is no gas,” stressed the chancellor.
Orban complained about EU colleagues at EU summit
Before the EU summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban complained to his EU colleagues: “They told me that Russian gas was bad and that it should no longer be bought. But no one told us how Russian gas could be replaced.” . according to “RTL.hu”. In connection with the planned coordinated EU gas purchase, Orban said the idea is reminiscent of the times when we bought the corona vaccine together – it was slow and expensive.
“I think it could be a long night,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The main points of contention could be the gas price ceiling and the financing of the measures.
Austria rejects price caps for Russian gas imports
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.
Nehammer criticized the European Commission’s energy proposals
Nehammer criticized the European Commission’s energy proposals. Nehammer criticized that the so-called “Iberian model” of decoupling electricity and gas prices, which he advocated, was not among the proposals. The gas would be jointly purchased and made available to electricity supply companies. Companies that can now produce cheaper would also participate and share the financial burden. “There are big concerns in big countries like Germany that it will be a very strong intervention in the market,” said Nehammer.