EU Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen, yesterday held a press conference to give an update about new energy-relief measures being rolled out by the EU. She warned that since the start of the war in Iran, the EU’s import-fossil fuel bill increased by up to €22 billion.
One of the measures being undertaken are common gas purchases and also coordinated oil releases. The EU will relax state-aid rules under a new temporary framework as part of new support measures being rolled-out. ETS benchmarks (carbon allocation) are also being revised. New tax-energy reforms will come out in May.
The EU Commissioner President said that the despite these measures, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and we are paying a very high price for our dependence on fossil fuels. The EU has to address the problem from its source, and the EU has provided a successful formula with renewable-energy sources and nuclear-energy. Therefore, she stated, that the EU needs to scale-up and modernise this already existing solution. These energy sources give us predictability and energy independence she added.
President von der Leyen has also urged EU member-states to make use of available EU funds for investment on the energy grid – these funds are also meant to extend Europe’s connectivity.
President von der Leyen also said that the EU is very concerned about ongoing hostilities in Lebanon and called on all parties to restore the sovereignty of Lebanon and complete a full cessation of hostilities.
Earlier today, President von der Leyen also spoke again to Hungary’s new Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar, and said that she discussed with him issues about rule-of-law and access to EU funds. On the veto to Ukraine’s loan she said that the EU will be discussing this issue with Magyar along with other issues. In addition, the Commissioner President said that the EU has to move to qualified-majority voting over foreign-policy issues.
Full press conference can be viewed here.
Newsroom
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