COUNCIL OF THE EU...update

 

Press material Wednesday 19 October 2022

● European Council   19/10/2022 18:09 | Press release | Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit, 19 October 2022   EU leaders and social partners met at the tripartite social summit to discuss “tackling the energy crisis and the cost of living crisis: How to protect the economy, businesses and workers”. The summit participants intervened on the following issues: Assessment of the impact of the war on the current socio-economic situation Measures to tackle the energy crisis Economic and social support measures to tackle the cost of living crisis The President of the European Council Charles Michel commented: “The war in Ukraine and high energy prices are putting pressure on our families, businesses, and economies. So we need to act. The EU and its member states have already put in place some measures, but more needs to be done in the weeks to come. We count on the good cooperation with social partners to address today's most pressing challenges, just like we did during COVID-19.” The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “The energy crisis is hitting everyone hard, workers, businesses and consumers alike. The increased cost of living is weighing on households that are already under strain. In these difficult times, the Commission has put forward targeted initiatives to reduce energy costs for families and businesses and provide energy security for this and coming winters. We need everyone on board and social partners play a key role.” From the side of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the Prime Minister of Czechia, Petr Fiala, added: “Before the European economy was able to fully recover from the pandemic, the Russian aggression against Ukraine - Europe’s worst security crisis since the Second World War - triggered soaring energy prices and living costs. Russia’s actions pose a serious threat to the security and prosperity of the EU. As the presidency of the Council, we have reacted swiftly and effectively, in cooperation with the member states, EU institutions and social partners, to address the impacts of the war in Ukraine. We are working intensively on tackling the impacts of the war-driven energy crisis on our businesses and labour markets as well as on our social, health and educational systems. We have responded with unity, solidarity and resolve. Today’s summit demonstrates the importance of an inclusive social dialogue for strengthening the resilience of our economies and societies and for adopting measures which will be fair, balanced and well-targeted.” The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Luca Visentini, noted: “Millions of people across Europe are struggling to afford food, heating, and transport as a result of profiteering, particularly by energy companies, on the supply bottlenecks created by the war. That is putting many jobs at risk as prices for energy force industries to scale back production. This situation cannot be tolerated, and we need energy price caps and a windfall tax on excess profits to fund emergency payments for the poorest households as soon as possible. Some progress has been made but action needs to match the urgency of the situation if we are to avoid this crisis costing lives this winter. But the EU has so far overlooked two crucial solutions to this crisis: a second SURE scheme to save jobs in energy intensive industries struggling with the cost of energy and support for pay rises to meet the increased cost of living.” BusinessEurope's Director General Markus J. Beyrer, representing employers (BusinessEurope, SGI Europe, SMEunited), commented: “As energy bills are skyrocketing to levels never seen before, many enterprises, of all sizes, across the continent struggle for survival. There is a real danger that energy-intensive businesses relocate outside of Europe where energy prices are much lower, which would have dramatic consequences on our competitiveness and jobs. Locally active enterprises not able to relocate outside of Europe risk closing down with severe consequences for the economic networks, employment and cohesion, in particular in rural areas. Services of general interest must also withstand increasing pressures without damaging or interrupting the provision of essential services to citizens and businesses. EU leaders need to agree urgently on new EU-wide measures to alleviate costs for European enterprises. If well designed, temporary EU-wide ‘price capping’ measures such as decoupling electricity prices from gas prices would effectively lower the bills without reducing incentives to save energy and improve energy efficiency. Adjusting the EU temporary crisis framework while maintaining a level playing field in the single market is equally important to grant much-needed aid to affected enterprises. On the labour markets, the key challenge ahead is to address in parallel the continuing need for improved skills matching, and the energy crisis’s impact on employment.” The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organisation concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the Council or the European Council.

Meetings Wednesday 19 October 2022

● Council of the EU   19/10/2022 14:03 | MEETING | Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 25 October 2022   Background brief - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 25/10/2022 Council of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 25 October 2022 Agenda highlights EU energy ministers will seek a general approach on the proposal for a directive on the energy performance of buildings. Ministers will hold a policy debate on the gas package, which includes a proposal for a directive and a proposal for a regulation on common internal market rules for renewable and natural gases and hydrogen. These proposals are part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package of measures that aim to put the EU on the path to climate neutrality by 2050. Under any other business Lithuania will share information on the importance of ensuring nuclear safety at the Belarusian Ostrovets nuclear power plant in accordance with recognised EU safety levels.Energy prices and security of supply (background information) Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response (background information) EU response to Ukraine invasion (background information) Meeting information Meeting n°3904 Luxembourg 25 October 2022 10:00 Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities Background brief

Library blog Wednesday 19 October 2022

● General Secretariat of the Council   Library Guide on the energy crisis   To help citizens stay informed of the European Union’s actions to restore the security of supply and lower energy prices, the Council Library has compiled a library guide of relevant and authoritative resources. This includes books and think tank papers, decisions and measures taken at EU level, selected podcasts and videos and well-documented websites.

Library Guide on the energy crisis19 October 2022
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Energy



In the last seven months, there has been a fundamental shift in EU energy policy, as a response to Russian aggression against Ukraine and the resulting exceptionally high-energy prices and security of supply concerns.

To help readers understand these changes and expand their knowledge of the European Union’s actions to restore the security of supply and lower energy prices, the Council Library has compiled a library guide of relevant and authoritative resources.

This includes books and articles, decisions and measures taken at EU level, selected podcasts and videos and well-documented websites. It is by no means exhaustive.Library Guide on the energy crisis
What is the energy crisis?

The EU has experienced an unusual increase in energy prices that has been further aggravated by the military aggression by Russia against Ukraine. EU countries are united and closely coordinating their efforts in a spirit of solidarity to secure the EU’s energy supply and mitigate the impact of high energy prices on consumers and on the economy.

In addition to national measures, a coordinated and solidarity-based approach by EU Member States is essential to address high energy prices and the EU’s security of energy supply. Immediately after the war broke out, the Member States committed to ending their dependence on Russian energy and set out a strategy to achieve it.

In the spring, a new common EU gas storage policy was agreed. In July, the 27 member states agreed to reduce gas demand voluntarily by 15% this winter, with the possibility of mandatory cuts.

On 6 October 2022, EU member states formally adopted a Council regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. Exceptional electricity demand- reduction measures, which will help reduce the cost of electricity for consumers, were agreed. The regulation also contains measures to redistribute the energy sector's surplus revenues to final customers.

EU energy ministers are committed to working on further measures to address high energy prices and security of supply. At the meeting of EU leaders on 20 and 21 October, the situation of energy prices, security of supply, market optimisation and demand reduction will be main focal points during the discussion on energy.

This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.

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