EU members demand urgent protective measures against energy price rise

Members of the European Parliament on Tuesday demanded immediate concrete action to protect households, companies, and the vulnerable population against the alarming energy crisis affecting all of Europe.

During the debate held to discuss the EU’s response to the sharp rise in energy prices, European Council President Bek Mikulas affirmed that “further implementable mitigating measures are needed.”

He noted the price rise triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the indefinite suspension of NordStream 1 gas pipeline, saying it was directly affecting all households and companies, and threatening the whole EU economy.

Mikulas also said several solutions that have been proposed and implemented in the last few months, including the emergency plan for filling gas reserves at 80% by Nov. 1 and EU-wide gas consumption reduction measures, are not sufficient to address the ongoing crisis.

Another discussion will be held on Sept. 30 with energy ministers to implore additional emergency energy packages and measures proposed by the EU Commission, he said.