“The idea is that, during the month of November, we can have taken measures” to cap gas prices, said Monday, October 24 on France Inter the President of the European Council Charles Michel. European Union leaders agreed last Thursday and Friday on a “framework agreement” aimed at putting in place measures to curb soaring energy prices.
For Charles Michel, it is “much more than a roadmap”it’s a “package of measures”which provides in particular for the “dynamic capping” the price of gas and “group purchase of energy resources”. It’s about “extremely precise instructions”which must now enable the Ministers of Energy, “which legally bind the decisions”, to act.
The latter are to meet on Tuesday, adds the President of the European Council, who sees “a very important first meeting”, in order to “Implement the decision-making framework set by the Heads of State and Government. The goal is that in the next two to three weeks, the energy ministers can make the decisions.”he continues, promising to “follow their work very closely” and “if it was necessary” to convene the European Council again.
Charles Michel (@eucopresident) on the future gas price cap: “The goal is that within two to three weeks, the energy ministers can take decisions” in this direction #le7930inter pic.twitter.com/2HYdewCvcg
– France Inter (@franceinter) October 24, 2022
Despite the recent disagreements within the Franco-German couple, Charles Michel wants to remain optimistic. Even though “We have seen in recent weeks different opinions on the subject of energy, on how the European Union should intervene to bring down energy prices, I have confidence” he comments, convinced that “unity was there at the end of the week in Brussels”during the summit of EU leaders.
The President of the European Council says he has confidence in “the determination” of Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, between whom “there is a desire to work together” to make decisions. On Wednesday, the French president is due to receive the German chancellor.
Charles Michel recalls that “in the first weeks” of the Covid crisis, “there were differences” of points of view “very frontal” between France and Germany, which did not prevent Europe “to be rather exemplary” on the file of the recovery plan in particular.
Charles Michel recognizes that Germany is very committed to defending its industrial sector, which is, “good for Germany and good for the European Union”because “no one cares” to see germany “collapse because of the war in Ukraine”. But, he continues, “We need solidarity to protect the European internal market”.
Charles Michel (@eucopresident): “What is good for Germany is good for the European Union, but we need solidarity to protect the European internal market” #le7930inter pic.twitter.com/r2Hhdt7Tdk
– France Inter (@franceinter) October 24, 2022