Share this on social media
EU to move forward with joint gas purchases, details next week: Czech presidency
(EurActiv, 13 Oct 2022) The EU’s 27 energy ministers found consensus on various topics, including joint gas purchases, at an informal meeting in Prague on Wednesday (12 October), the Czech EU Council presidency said.
Energy ministers gathered for an informal meeting in Prague, also attended by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.
“There is general agreement among the ministers on the need to move towards joint procurement of gas before the summer of 2023,” said Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela.
Simson, for her part, admitted that joint gas purchases are necessary to ensure member states do not compete against each other, adding that a joint approach would benefit smaller states in particular.
Ministers also agreed on the need to mitigate the impact of high gas prices on the electricity market. According to Síkela, there is a consensus on the need to adjust the key price index to make it more resilient to speculative behaviour in the markets.
The European Commission is now expected to propose specific measures next week, which should be discussed at a formal Energy Council on 25 October.
EurActiv, 13 Oct 2022: EU to move forward with joint gas purchases, details next week: Czech presidency
