![]() ![]() ![]() "It should not apply to Cyprus until the island is directly interconnected with the EU's natural gas network,” a Cypriot official said Thursday. The EU’s island nations are rebelling too, arguing that they aren’t linked up to the core network and thus can't send precious gas to needy Continental neighbors. “We are completely against it,” said Portuguese Secretary of State for Energy and Environment João Galamba. Spain's Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera denounced Brussels' plan as “not the most effective, nor the most efficient, nor the fairest.” "It is curious how the Commission has made this announcement without serious consultation." It does not mean that there are empty pipelines that could be filled," Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas said Thursday on local radio. "Let's say we reduce by 15 percent, this does not mean that more gas will go to Germany. Many disagree, not least in Athens - which has bitter memories of demanding financial solidarity from Germany during the 2015 debt crisis. Otherwise, there would be no European solidarity.” German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck | Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images “And that also means that countries that are not directly affected by gas reductions from Russia should help other countries. "We have to save energy in Europe, and above all gas,” Habeck said at a press conference. German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on Thursday criticized the countries unwilling to get on board. "This is really Mission Impossible stuff – even Tom Cruise couldn’t get it passed now,” said an EU diplomat from a country in favor of the measure. But so far, that's not enough to convince capitals to give up control over energy usage at home. Leaders have been girding for a possible shutdown of Russian gas deliveries, after 12 EU countries were hit with supply reductions or outright disconnections in recent weeks. But unlike previous spats over economic aid - pitting frugal Nordics and northwesterners against a southeastern bloc in need of funds - this time it's the EU periphery with access to non-Russian gas that is unwilling to throw Germany a lifeline. Geographical vote splits are nothing new in the Brussels bubble. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó actually boarded a flight to Moscow on Thursday in a bid to buy more Russian supplies while it's still possible.ĮU energy ministers are set to discuss the proposal and looming winter gas crisis when they meet next Tuesday, but by that point, the Commission's proposal could already be a lost cause.įor once, that means Germany may not get its way. Hungary has taken a step further, announcing it has no intention of letting any gas leave its borders beginning next month. ![]()
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