The debate on energy price cuts by European Union leaders ended in early Friday morning without agreement on whether to cap gas prices. As Reuters informed, the leaders keep examining options to put a ceiling on costs. "We do now have a very good and solid roadmap to keep on working on the topic of energy prices," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Following the Thursday part of the two-day summit, Prime Minister Eduard Heger reported that the beginning of the debate was in the spirit of rational considerations and an attempt at compromise. “Slovakia is calling for a uniform solution to be adopted at EU level to avoid price fluctuations, to keep prices down and to make it cost the state budget as little as possible," he said. The premier admitted that at the beginning of the debates there was a lack of a unified approach; Germany, for instance, was much more reserved in the matter than a group of 15 other EU-member states, including Slovakia.
He stressed that EU leaders were trying to agree on how to ensure stability on the energy market and prevent price fluctuations. According to him, these are meant to prevent speculation and energy market volatility leading to higher prices. In the case of Slovakia, he remarked that the Government will present several proposals to help domestic companies next week. The difference between the market price and the one paid by companies will be compensated by the state.
The discussions also concerned the price of gas used to produce electricity, but Heger pointed out that the primary objective is to reach an agreement on lowering the price of gas as such. "Gas for electricity is one thing, real gas consumption, which involves gas for heating and industry, is another. Half of the gas consumed in Slovakia goes to industry. That's why we are currently focusing on the price of gas as such," he remarked.
Source: TASR
