The countries that still depend on Moscow for their energy coverage are negative – What is Greece’s position?
The EU energy ministers, who are currently meeting on Brusselswill not support a cap on the price of Russian natural gas according to diplomatic sources cited by Bloomberg, but are pushing the European Commission to find other ways to contain prices.
As reported by Bloomberg, some ministers support the imposition of a general cap on imported natural gas, while the idea of ​​common markets in the EU is also being discussed. Still others support the taxation of the “super profits” of energy companies and the provision of liquidity to companies facing problems.
Germany and Austria oppose the cap
Germany opposes the ceiling on the price of Russian natural gas, pointing out that some countries remain dependent on these supplies. Austria agrees with this view.
“These countries still have dependencies that force them to use this natural gas”said Germany’s Minister of Economy, Robert Hambeck to a reporter in Brussels, according to Bloomberg. “Therefore, it would not be correct to say that Germany always asks for understanding, but other countries cannot have it,” he explained.
Austria, which still needs Russian gas supplies even if its dependence on it has decreased, also does not support the cap, the country’s energy minister said. Leonore Gevesler.
Germany also opposes a blanket cap on natural gas prices, as it believes it would send the wrong message to the market, Hambeck added. He said he supports a cap that would cover basic energy needs, with consumers paying more, however, when their usage exceeds a certain limit.
Today the extraordinary meeting of the EU energy ministers takes place, where the Commission’s proposal for a ceiling on natural gas prices or the separation of electricity prices from natural gas will be discussed. Essentially, the scenario of an extraordinary and fundamental change in the EU energy system will be discussed, a process which is expected to be complicated and long. However, given the spike in natural gas prices and the alarm in the Old Continent over the reduction in energy flows from Russia, officials are rushing to find an immediate solution.
The position of Greece
The imposition of a ceiling only on Russian gas is not considered satisfactory by the Greek side, which wishes to impose a ceiling on the TTF and the prices per power generation technology based on the Greek model in which the producers are reimbursed.
Energy market players comment that the cap on Russian gas would result in European energy companies breaking their contracts with Gazprom, which would lead to legal battles with an uncertain outcome and potentially serious financial consequences.
Besides, the adoption of a cap on Russian gas would have to be applied compulsorily by Greece as well – a development that would result in the interruption of the flow of Russian natural gas to our country through the Turk Stream pipeline, which currently continues normally.
Regarding the upper limit of 200 euros, the same sources state that in Greece a ceiling of 112 euros is already applied for hydroelectric energy and 85 euros for RES. A universal application of the Commission’s measure would lead to a reduction in surplus profits from producers, resulting in a consequent reduction in funds for subsidizing electricity bills.
Skrekas: Europe must make decisions now
“Today the European Council of Energy Ministers is called upon to take decisions to support households and businesses in the face of an unprecedented energy crisis affecting Europe. We are at a critical crossroads, whether we will succeed in implementing a comprehensive and coherent plan to support households and businesses, or we will surrender to the pursuits and blackmail of authoritarian leaders. Europe must take decisions now”, said the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas, when he attended the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers of the European Union
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