Plan specific short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions at European level for reduction of energy pricesunfolds the Minister of State Akis Skertsos, a plan proposed, after all, by the Prime Minister to the Summit Council, as he points out. In his article in “Nea Savvatokyriako”, Mr. Skertsos also answers why, according to the government approach, the reductions of indirect taxes and the national ceilings in energy prices they do not face the problem at its root. “
His starting point is that “the reduction of high energy prices and fuel is today the number one priority of governmentAnd this is because, as he argues Minister of State“They violently affect the citizens and the family planning of every household, increase inflation, gnaw incomes, make Greek products much more expensive not only in domestic but also in international markets, thus reducing our competitiveness.”
In addition, “they are eroding the effectiveness of European economic sanctions on Russia – which, as a producer of gas and oil, gains what it loses from one pocket to the other. “Finally, and even worse, the ghosts of populism and anti-systemic outrage are reawakening across Europe.”
Given this, he continues in his analysis, “the dangers are once again great and of an existential nature for each European country individually and as a whole for our union. The magnitude of the problem is so great – the extra cost just for it greek economy It is already estimated at 14 billion euros – which no country can solve on its own. The solutions it must be European, unconventional and immediate. Now, not in six months “, he notes emphatically and adds:
“What are the available solutions and what can we do? Let us say first of all that Europe cannot become immediately independent of Russian gas because there are no internationally viable alternatives to fully meet our needs. But neither can domestic energy sources directly offer energy autonomy and cheaper fuels. We can achieve this in 5 to 8 years until more RES are developed and more natural gas is pumped as a transition fuel, but not now “.
At the same time, the Minister of State responds – through his article – to the criticism received by the government for insufficient reaction measures: reductions in indirect taxes and national energy price caps also do not address the problem at its root. It is like a very expensive medicine that does not cure. They cost a lot of national budgets, deprive them of significant revenues that in turn finance public goods such as schools, hospitals and security, and have a very clear class sign in favor of the rich when they are horizontal. The national ceilings in the energy companies will again have to be paid from the pocket of the Greek taxpayers “.
That is why “we need a plan for short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions at European level. And this was suggested by Prime Minister in yesterday Summit Council“, He emphasizes, specifying the following:
«Immediately now the European energy regulators to intervene with the six-point toolbox we proposed in the gas stock market to stop the extreme speculative trends and to balance prices at lower and more reasonable levels. Markets are not perfect and when manipulated to the detriment of citizens’s interests must be regulated.
In the medium term, but starting now, use Europe’s collective trading power for shared gas supplies. We did it in vaccines, we can do it now. Stop myopic national agreements and move on to a European gas supply contract for the next two winters.
And long term to accelerate the licensing and installation of RES, such as offshore wind farms, energy interconnections with other countries but also the exploitation of potential domestic gas fields “.
In conclusion, “targeted support for the most vulnerable incomes and smaller businesses will continue unabated by the government. But the problem is not solved only with bonuses. Required one wider Mrs.ambitious plan who will do it Europe a real energy union and Greece more autonomous». “If not now, when?”, The Minister of State asks in closing.
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