The Czech Republic convened an extraordinary Council of Ministers for Energy in Brussels

The Czech Republic convened an extraordinary Council of Ministers for Energy in Brussels on 9 September, chaired by Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela. The main topic was a discussion on options for a Europe-wide solution to the problem of high energy prices. “I said today that we will do whatever it takes to protect our households and industry from high energy prices. We do not have weeks, we have days. We will devise an immediate, concrete solution with the European Commission. And we will approve it by the end of September,” says Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela.

The Council agreed that the European Commission should issue legal proposals within days, which will be approved by member states, to complete the legislative process as soon as possible. The terms of reference for the Commission are based on the member states’ positions. They include, for example, the possibility of using excessive profits of electricity producers to finance measures to reduce the impact of high energy prices on citizens and businesses, to invest in energy savings, renewable energy sources, and other emission-free technologies. There was further agreement among ministers to reduce electricity demand, which they also see as one of the primary measures to reduce pressure on energy prices. The Temporary Crisis Framework allowing public support for companies affected by the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine should also be extended without further delay. The several Member States have expressed the need to review the functioning of the electricity market in the medium term, reflecting market conditions. The European Commission should also come up with a proposal to cap gas prices, but it must be careful not to jeopardise gas supplies to Europe. The Czech Republic is ready to reconvene an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers by the end of September, and other EU ministers have also expressed their willingness to meet