The EU agreement on the “road map” is yet to be published

The leaders of the European Union agreed overnight from Thursday to Friday “road mapIn the coming weeks, it aims to implement measures to curb rising energy prices. The war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia have sent oil, gas and electricity prices reeling. But since February, Europe has been slow to react, weakened by the diverging interests of member states.

After tough negotiations, several points remain to be decided if the coalition is to present a united front, and the coming weeks promise to be tough negotiations. “Now we have a good road map“, underlined Ursula van der Leyen, President of the Commission, while Charles Michel, President of the European Council, urged”An agreement on a set of activities“It has to be now”Well seasoned“.

But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made it clear that a new heads-of-state summit is needed if energy ministers cannot agree on a final version.

Promotion of joint gas procurement

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the planned mechanisms can be implemented.Late October, early November“. He felt that there were leaders.”sent a very clear signal to the markets of (their) determination and (their) solidarity“. According to the results published at the end of the meeting, the heads of state and government ask the commission to submit to them.Urgently“in”Solid resultsVarious measures including interventions to curb gas price volatility.

Read moreGas prices: In Brussels, Mario Draghi leads his final fight

Twenty-seven agreed to collectively promote gas purchases at EU level, and they will remain so”volunteers“But cover at least one target size”Compulsory15% of the EU’s stock replenishment targets for winter 2023. Further “Speed ​​up negotiations“with producing countries”ReliableLike Norway and USAUse economic weightsRather than competing on the global market, the EU is at risk of triggering a price fever.

In addition to the move to cap wholesale prices in natural gas transactions, leaders are also asking for a specific plan for a mechanism.TemporaryA system already in place in Spain and Portugal, and France has called for it to be extended to the entire EU, to cap the price of gas used to generate electricity. But in the offer made to Germany, this mechanism must be linked to security.Avoid increased gas consumption“. The EU should stop subsidizing electricity exports to neighboring countries (Norway, United Kingdom, Switzerland, etc.).

Macron/Scholes, peace

Asked about the Franco-German pair, the engine of European cooperation, Emmanuel Macron confirmed the one-on-one with the German chancellor.Make a lot of things clear“.

Hours earlier, he felt that Berlin was playing itself out, seemingly blaming the Germans for Europe’s difficulties. “I don’t think it’s good for Germany or Europe to isolate itself (…). Our role is to do everything to ensure that European unity exists and that Germany remains a part of it.“, he pointed out.

Read moreThe energy war is undermining European unity

“It is very clear that Germany has always been very unitedOlaf Scholes responded. The chancellor was accused of being selfish after announcing a 200 billion euro support package for the German economy at the end of September.

Paris announced an infrastructure plan on Thursday without consulting Berlin. Hydrogen. Initially launched in 2003, the Midgate project (for Mid-Catalonia), was championed by Lisbon, Madrid and Berlin, but came up against opposition from Paris. It is intended to link the French and Spanish gas networks via a 190 km pipeline from Hostalric north of Barcelona through the Pyrenees to Barbeira east of Carcassonne.

In the middle of the night, after a dozen hours of negotiations between 27, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholes pacified, the latter particularly fueled a relationship “Intense and rewarding“. The two are scheduled to meet in Paris on Wednesday.

See more – The Franco-German couple does not want to “get into a trade war” with the US