K. Mitsotakis is asking for a ceiling on the wholesale price of natural gas in Brussels today

Of Dimitris Gatsiou

“Agreement to ban Russian oil exports to the European Union. It immediately covers more than two-thirds of oil imports from Russia, cutting off a huge source of funding for its war machine. Maximum pressure on Russia to end the war.”

With these 41 words, just before two in the morning Greek time, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced the… white smoke in the Brussels thriller regarding the imposition of an embargo on Russian oil.

After hours of negotiations, the “27” leaders reached a milestone, as first the objections of Hungary and secondarily of the Czech Republic and Slovakia had to be reduced, with the Greek position expressing, from the first moment of his arrival in … Heart of the European Union, the Prime Minister.

“I believe that we are close to reaching an agreement that will include sanctions to ban the export of oil and oil products to the European Union from Russia.

“I believe that the individual objections of the Member States can be reduced in order to finally reach the desired result”, was his characteristic disgust, before the start of the first and, at the same time, marathon day of consultations and internal discussions of the leaders of the European Union, in Brussels .

Low expectations

Following the thriller about the European Council decision to impose an embargo on Russian oil, the “27” are discussing today the energy price rally and the measures that need to come to the fore in order to de-escalate prices and millions of households and businesses across Europe.

The… basket, of course, on this second day of consultations in Brussels is small, as the differences between the countries of the South and the so-called and “sparing” of the European North, with Mr. Mitsotakis, are expected to come to the fore again. to reiterate, as government officials point out, his proposal for a ceiling on the wholesale price of gas, as this is a European problem that requires a European solution.

“All European Member States are currently facing very high energy prices, the result of excessively high gas prices, prices which – as I have said many times – are not justified by the laws of supply and demand.

That is why it is important to bring back the debate on a ceiling on the wholesale price of gas, so that in this way we can drag down overall energy prices and, of course, electricity prices, “said the Prime Minister, attending the Summit. , setting the tone for the Greek positions, which will be unfolded today.

As factors note, Mr. Mitsotakis will emphasize that the big picture of the need to get rid of Russian fossil fuels should not overshadow the debate on the need to take immediate measures in order to put a brake on electricity prices and relieve citizens.

“Expectations are low given the strong disagreements within the European Union”, is the assessment that prevails in Athens, at the moment, however, when the Prime Minister… is heading to the second day of the extraordinary Summit, with this leading position related to taking measures to streamline the energy market, but also given the government’s decision to continue to support households and businesses at national level.

“The Greek government will stand by Greek consumers, businesses, households in order to contain, as far as possible, high electricity prices.

Within the next 15 days, the relevant platform will be opened, in order to return 60% of the excessive increase that households have paid to the electricity bills since the beginning of the year.

And from the beginning of July, a new electricity pricing system will be implemented, with interventions in the wholesale market, so that the adjustment clause is really neutralized and the increases in electricity prices are reasonable.

Last week, the Greek Parliament voted to tax 90% of the profits of wholesale electricity companies. “These will also be additional resources that will be directed in our effort to support households and businesses”, stressed Kyriakos Mitsotakis.