Draghi: Debate on energy ceiling discussed in October – Request for special session rejected

LAST UPDATE: 18:14

The results of the European Summit and the next, necessary steps were reported by the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, from Brussels. “Within the Union, there is the challenge of energy, which contributes significantly to the rise in inflation,” said the Italian Prime Minister. He added that in his country the storage of natural gas is following a very satisfactory pace, and that the dependence on Russia in terms of gas, from 40% last year, has been reduced to 25%.

We must act now, as far as the ceiling on the price of gas is concerned. “Such a move would help us curb inflation and raise interest rates,” said Mario Draghi. The results of this study will be discussed at the October Summit.

The Italian Prime Minister stressed that Germany’s position on the adoption of the energy ceiling has gradually changed, and is now characterized by a much more open approach. “The same thing happened with the Netherlands,” he said. The Italian technocrat prime minister also said that if the whole situation worsens, an extraordinary summit could be convened.

“We consider the latest developments today, in which the Bulgarian parliament voted, in fact, in favor of the proposal that should allow Northern Macedonia to have access to EU candidate status. We consider it important, because this will “Albania’s candidacy is also unblocked. However, if there are new obstacles for Northern Macedonia, we want Albania to be able to move forward in an autonomous way,” Draghi said.

The Italian Prime Minister, at the same time, expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Ukraine was granted the status of a candidate country and, finally, referred to the wider economic consequences of the energy crisis:

“We are not talking so much about a new financial support plan for the member states. But about the possibility for the European Commission to have direct access to the markets, autonomously, and then lend to the member states. Let us not forget that “The sprint, with NextGenerationEu, dropped immediately. The situation is similar today.”

For the ceiling on energy prices

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said today that the issue of a wholesale gas price cap would be discussed at the October summit, not ruling out an emergency energy summit if the situation worsens.

During a press conference shortly after the end of the European Council, the Italian prime minister said there was no response to his request for an emergency summit in July on the issue of energy, saying there was no basis for discussion. He explained that the European Commission should prepare a study on the appropriateness of setting a ceiling on energy prices, but also on the reform of the electricity market, based on the mandate received by the European Council last May. This study of the Commission will be ready in September, M. Draghi estimated.

He stressed that he wants quick action on the issue of the ceiling, but some countries are reluctant. Asked about Germany’s position on the issue, Draghi said that Berlin, like other negative countries such as the Netherlands, was gradually moving in the direction of Italy. “Only that there is a date to discuss the issue of the ceiling is a step forward,” said the Italian prime minister.

Asked if he thought October was too far away for the debate, the Italian prime minister replied: “Of course it could be too late.” He added that in case the situation worsens, an emergency summit will need to be held to take appropriate emergency measures. He also stressed that the EU must be united on energy and that the Commission must be accountable for common markets, supplies and energy stocks. “We will see how this is shaped,” he added.