EU leaders agree to combat rising energy prices

Brussels, Oct 21: European Council President Charles Michel said early Friday morning that European Union leaders "agreed to work on measures" that would combat rising energy prices.

The 27 heads of government had gathered a two-day summit in Brussels aimed overcoming differences between countries to combat the continent's energy crisis.

The meeting dragged on well into Thursday night as divisions between some countries could not be bridged. A consensus was not reached on capping the price of gas.

Nevertheless, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the summit established a "solid roadmap to keep on working on the topic of energy prices."

Gas price cap remains elusive

At least 15 countries at the summit pushed for a joint price cap on gas to reign in the cost of living.

Germany and its traditional partner France were on opposing sides of the gas price cap debate, with Berlin advocating to hold off on such a measure over fear it could see gas supplies diverted to Asian markets instead.

"Of course, we have to make sure that we set up what we decide in such a way that it works," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said as he arrived at the meeting. "No one wants to make decisions here that are good in theory, but there is no gas afterwards."

Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron said that "our role is to make sure that there is a European unity and that Germany is part of it."

"It is not good either for Germany or Europe that it isolates itself," he added. "It is important that on proposals that are the subject of a broad consensus, we can find unanimity."

Another leader who opposed the proposal was Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban — the sole EU leader who maintains warm ties with Vladimir Putin's government in Russia.

The "gas price cap is like going to a bar and telling the bartender you want to pay half price for your beer. Not going to happen," Orban wrote on Twitter.

Energy roadmap in place

So great were some of the division between leaders at the summit that agreeing to further discuss an energy plan was touted as an achievement in itself.

EU energy ministers will meet next week in Luxembourg.

Source: DW