Athens on foot for energy increases. Mitsotakis demands a common European answer

By Dimitris Gatsios

The need for a common European response, in order for the citizens to face the big increases in energy prices, is highlighted by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who leaves for Brussels in the afternoon, in order to give the “present” to the extraordinary Summit of “27” leaders on developments on the Ukrainian-Russian border.

“It is very important at European level to have exceptional support measures for European consumers and European businesses, as all countries today in one way or another subsidize consumers to deal with large increases in energy prices. We need a European an answer to a problem that all the Member States face, each has its own way of dealing with it, but for all countries it is a problem that is extremely costly and I intend to raise this issue at the next European Council “, was the message conveyed by the Prime Minister, in his statements from Bucharest.

The measures

Decoding, therefore, the reports of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, what comes to the conclusion is that the European Union should act united and coordinated, in order not to be a hostage of Russia. And the logic of the response, in order to deal with the impact that the crisis will have on European consumers and businesses, must be similar to that of the pandemic. According to information, some of the measures that could be considered are:

– Establish a fund, which will finance future emissions from pollutant rights and could help Member States support households and businesses.

Exemption from fiscal rules for the duration of the crisis.

– Coordinated gas markets.

From the Romanian capital, the prime minister reiterated that the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure that the country’s gas supply remains safe. “It is our duty to expand not only our energy sources in terms of production, but also our short-term, medium-term supply of gas, reducing our dependence on Russia. And this opens up significant scope for cooperation with a country like Romania. which itself produces natural gas “, he noted, with Athens, on the Ukrainian front coordinating its movements with partners and allies in the European Union and NATO and the Prime Minister proposing the concept of respect for International Law, as he did in Extraordinary European People’s Party Summit teleconference convened by Donald Tusk.

“These are moves that blatantly violate international law, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the Minsk agreements. They are expressions of revision that endanger global security and stability. And I would like to reiterate that a fundamental principle of Greek foreign policy is territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states. We therefore unequivocally condemn initiatives that run counter to these values. “It is not only common but also substantial,” the prime minister said in a joint statement with his Romanian counterpart.

At the 27 extraordinary meeting of the “27” in Brussels, which will raise the curtain at nine o’clock in the evening Greek time, the topic of discussion of the leaders will be the situation and developments between Russia and Ukraine. It is characteristic of what the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, mentions in the letter-invitation. “The aggression of the Russian Federation violates international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. It also undermines European security. It is important that we continue to be united and determined and jointly define our collective approach and actions.” “I wanted to discuss the latest developments, how we protect the rule-based international order, how we treat Russia, in particular holding Russia accountable for its actions, and how we can further support Ukraine and its people.”