Scholz: “A sign of solidarity”
Heads of state and government at an EU summit have agreed on a common approach. Chancellor Scholz welcomes the outcome.
Brussels (dpa)- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of an EU summit on the energy crisis. “This is a good sign of solidarity,” Scholz said after around ten hours of consultations with his colleagues in Brussels on the agreed course of action to combat the high energy costs. He said that the foundations had been laid for Europe to act and decide together.
The EU heads of state and government agreed to work on a price cap to limit the extremely high gas prices and to further examine other options. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced after the first day of the summit: “We will introduce a market correction mechanism to limit episodes of excessive gas prices.” She said her authority would now work with the relevant EU state ministers on a legislative proposal for this.
There have been calls for a price cap in the EU for months. However, ideas differ about how the price should be limited. Support for the EU Commission’s latest proposal to make joint gas purchases possible was less controversial at the summit. The aim is for companies in the EU states to pool their demand, allowing them to force down prices in negotiations with other countries.