A Greek initiative for an EU Energy Crisis Solidarity Facility

(EurActiv, 28 Feb 2022) Following an initiative of the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the European Council on February 24, the Greek Government sent a letter to the Executive Vice-Presidents of the European Commission, the Commissioner for Economy, the Commissioner for Energy and the French Minister of Ecological Transition and President of the Council of Energy Ministers, with specific proposals as to deal with the international energy crisis as a consequence of the Ukrainian conflict.

In the context of the Special meeting of the European Council last Thursday (24 February), PM Mitsotakis referred during his speech to the impact on European economies and in particular on energy prices.

“We are here to prepare, to build our defence against developments that could potentially affect European economies. I have requested that a provision be included in the conclusions of the special meeting, authorising the European Commission to study and propose immediately to the Council the adoption of emergency measures to support Member States against possible sharp increases in energy prices,” Mitsotakis said.

He added that “in this way we will be able to protect ourselves from possible Russia’s blackmail and to show that we remain steadfast on the path of defending international law and international legitimacy”.

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Kostas Skrekas, sent a letter to the European Commission’s Executive Vice-Presidents, Frans Timmermans and Margrethe Vestager, to the Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, to the Commissioner for Energy, Candi Simpson, and to the French Minister of Ecological Transition and President of the Council of Energy Ministers, Barbara Pompili.

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EurActiv, 28 Feb 2022: A Greek initiative for an EU Energy Crisis Solidarity Facility