This afternoon, the EU heads of state and government met in Brussels for their summit. The dominant topic is the energy crisis, here the 27 countries are looking for a common solution to the enormous prices.
There are some approaches, which is why, as Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) said immediately before the start, “intensive” discussions can be expected. Council President Charles Michel believes that an agreement is still possible.
Commission without concrete proposals on gas price cap
On the negotiating table is a package from the EU Commission that provides for joint gas purchases and financial relief for companies and citizens, but no gas price cap that 15 EU countries had called for.
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz again rejected a European gas price cap. The EU must agree on concepts that also work, said Scholz. “Nobody wants to make decisions where it is theoretically good afterwards, but there is no gas,” said the Chancellor.
Nehammer demands a strong signal
Austria also rejects a price cap – for Russian gas. A price cap is actually the right measure, but it shouldn’t lead to a shortage of supply, for example through sales to Asia, said Nehammer. “Not having any gas at all is the real problem. It’s even better to have more expensive gas.” Despite all the contradictions, the summit must send a strong signal, “that also depresses the price,” said the Chancellor.
New sanctions against Iran
The EU had previously decided on further sanctions against Iran over the alleged delivery of kamikaze drones to Russia. According to the Czech Council Presidency, the member states reached an agreement before the start of the summit.