The leaders of the European Union on the night from Thursday to Friday agreed on a “road map” aimed at introducing in the coming weeks measures to stop the rise in energy prices, AFP and Agerpres comment.

The war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia caused a shock in the prices of oil, gas and electricity. But since February, Europe has reacted slowly, weakened by the various interests of the member states.

If the bloc wanted to present a united front at the end of difficult negotiations, many issues remain to be resolved, and negotiations in the coming weeks will be difficult.

“We now have a very good road map,” emphasized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while European Council President Charles Michel referred to an “agreement on a package of measures” that needed to be “worked with finesse.” “.

But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made it clear that if the energy ministers do not agree on the final option, a new summit of heads of state will be necessary.

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the considered mechanisms can be introduced “at the end of October, at the beginning of November.” He assessed that the leaders “sent to the markets a very clear signal of (their) determination and unity.”

According to the conclusions released at the end of the meeting, the heads of state and government ask the Commission to send them “urgently” “concrete decisions” on a set of measures, including interventions to calm the volatility of gas prices.

Twenty-seven agreed to favor joint gas purchases at EU level, meaning they would remain “voluntary” but cover at least a “binding” target of 15% of the EU’s winter 2023 stockpile targets.

They also called for an “acceleration of negotiations” with “credible” producer countries such as Norway and the United States to “take advantage of the combined economic weight” of the EU, rather than compete on the global market, risking a price fever. .

In addition to the measure to control wholesale prices for natural gas transactions, leaders are also calling for a concrete plan for a “temporary” mechanism to cap the price of gas used to generate electricity. This mechanism already operates in Spain and Portugal. France asked to extend it to the entire Union.

But, as a concession made to Germany, this mechanism will have to be accompanied by guarantees of “avoidance of any increase in gas consumption.” It should also prevent the EU from subsidizing electricity that will eventually be exported to neighboring countries (Norway, Great Britain, Switzerland).

Asked about the Franco-German pair, the engine of European cooperation that seems to be in trouble, Emmanuel Macron said a private conversation with the German chancellor had “clarified a lot of things”.

A few hours ago, he estimated that Berlin was singing to itself, allegedly blaming the Germans for Europe’s difficulties.

“I think that it is not good for Germany or for Europe to self-isolate (…). Our role is to do everything so that there is European unity and that Germany is a part of it,” he said.

“It is quite obvious that Germany has always acted in great solidarity,” Olaf Scholz replied.

The chancellor was accused of selfishness after he announced a 200 billion euro stimulus plan for the German economy at the end of September without consulting his partners.

And without consulting Berlin, Paris announced an infrastructure project on Thursday after years of deadlock: France, Spain and Portugal announced a deal to replace the MidCat pipeline project with an underwater gas pipeline between Barcelona and Marseille designed to transport gas and then green hydrogen.

Originally launched in 2003, the MidCat project — short for Midi (southern France) and Catalonia (northeastern Spain), the two regions it was supposed to unite — was backed by Lisbon, Madrid and Berlin, but faced opposition from Paris. The aim was to connect the gas networks of France and Spain through a 190-kilometer pipeline that runs from Hostalric, north of Barcelona, ​​to Barbaira, east of Carcassonne, across the Pyrenees.

At midnight, after more than 12 hours of talks between the 27, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz showed some willingness to relax, the latter in particular calling for an “intense and fruitful” relationship. They will meet on Wednesday in Paris, AFP concludes.