EU member states on Thursday expressed differences of opinion over a European Commission proposal aimed at capping natural gas prices, which most of the 27 countries found ineffective, prompting them to delay adopting other measures to respond to the energy crisis, AFP reported, citing Agerpres.

At a meeting in Brussels, energy ministers approved a text on group purchases of natural gas, in which consortia of companies can voluntarily participate, and a solidarity mechanism for countries facing shortages, as well as another text that simplifies authorization for renewable energy infrastructure. energy

But it was not possible to officially adopt these texts due to the impasse regarding the third proposal of the European Commission aimed at limiting gas prices.

“Official adoption will come later along with political agreement” on the cap mechanism, said Czech Industry Minister Josef Sikela, whose country currently holds the European Council presidency. “The discussions on this matter have been heated, there are very different positions, but the debate has only just begun,” added Josef Sickela.

The authorities in Prague have called a new meeting at the ministerial level for mid-December, hoping that the file will be unblocked before the summit of EU leaders.

“We have established positions on two texts, according to which there will be no further negotiations. The third is unacceptable for everyone in its current form,” explained Belgian Minister Tinne van der Straten.

What does the proposal to limit the price of gas, which has caused heated discussions, involve

The controversial mechanism proposed by the EU executive on Tuesday would cap gas prices for one year when TTF gas hub prices exceed €275/MWh for two consecutive weeks and when TTF prices are €58 higher than the world average of liquefied gas within 10 trading days.

Under the Commission’s proposed terms for triggering the cap, it would not take effect until late August, when prices hit record highs, making the Commission’s proposed mechanism useless, according to cap supporters. .

“At this level we cannot talk about a ceiling. The price of gas is threatening our households and companies, and we have wasted too much time without results,” criticized Greek Minister Kostas Skrekas on Thursday, while his Polish counterpart Anna Moskova called the Commission’s proposal a “joke” and called for a new proposal. “in the coming days”.

At the end of October, EU leaders asked the Commission to prepare a “temporary” mechanism to limit gas prices, but with the express condition that the mechanism does not disrupt the continent’s supply and does not stimulate the consumption of hydrocarbons, two conditions. at the request of Germany, which does not want any intervention in the market.

European Commission: Member States’ requirements are very different

“We received very clear instructions about the need to avoid unintended consequences and that’s what we did,” defended European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on Thursday, who acknowledged that member states’ expectations and demands were very different.

Most of the EU member states require the establishment of a concrete ceiling on the price of natural gas. On the other side of the table is a small group of EU member states, but they are powerful countries led by Germany, the first European economy. Along with the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, the group argues that the price cap will force suppliers to sell their gas elsewhere and remove incentives to reduce gas consumption.

“The central issue is to avoid interruptions in our gas supply” in the face of competing Asian buyers who will offer higher prices, said Sven Hygold, state secretary of the German economy ministry. “On the other hand, if the trigger threshold is too high, the mechanism will not help. We will have to find a balance,” the German official admitted.