European Commission President Ursula von der Leien announced that targeted and temporary support measures against energy price rises will be presented on 22 April. Since the start of the Middle East conflict 44 days ago, the fossil fuel import account has increased by 22 billion euros. The measures will include income support programmes, flexible State aid rules, coordination to fill natural gas reserves and release of strategic oil reserves. The presentation will precede the informal European Council in Cyprus, 23-24 April.
Analyticalally:
The outline of the targeted and temporary support measures to be announced by the Commission on 22 April: «embankment» THE energy valuations, outline the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leien, at a press conference he granted, shortly after the College of Commissioners meeting on the Middle East crisis and its impact on Europe.
Reference to «huge impact» the Middle East crisis in the economy of the EU countries, Mr von der Leien stressed that since the start of the conflict, 44 days ago, the bill for imports of fossil fuels increased by over 22 billion euros. The President of the European Commission referred to a number of measures to reduce energy prices — the so-called «toolbox» – presented by the Commission next week, shortly before the informal European Council to be held in Cyprus, 23 and 24 April.
According to the President of the Commission, the Member States of the EU. They must respond coordinatedly to the rise in energy prices. As he said, these measures should be «targeted» – giving particular support to the most vulnerable households and sectors of the economy – «temporary» and «be implemented in good time and without delay when it is really necessary». In the same context, the Commission is expected to present best practices for the design of income support programmes; While a consultation is under way flexible State aid rules, so that Member States should have greater scope for intervention in the most exposed sectors.
We Discussed a series of immediate and long-term energy measures that we will present to leaders at the informational EUCO.
The way ahead is clear.
The only lasting way out of the fossil recession is shimming electricality generation to renewables and nuclear.
And electrifying the... pic.twitter. com/Kds7UveINS
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 13, 2026
«No. No.» temporary activation of alternative measures such as the general escape clause
However, asked about the possibility of triggering more drastic measures, Von der Leien made it clear that at the moment «the conditions for the activation of alternative measures such as the general escape clause are not met». He stressed that any intervention should not be overburdened by public deficits and that the crisis must be addressed. «step-by-step»As the situation develops. It also confirmed that the Commission would constantly re-evaluate the situation, depending on developments in the Middle East.
Ursula Von der Leien stressed that the Commission attaches particular emphasis to better cooperation between Member States, utilizing the experience of the 2022 energy crisis, to avoid phenomena of competition between them in the energy market.
Coordination for filling natural gas reserves – Common design for releasing strategic oil reserves
Enhanced European coordination is also envisaged to fill natural gas stocks, as well as joint planning to release strategic oil reserves, with the aim of achieving the maximum possible effect. At the same time, as Von der Leien pointed out, national emergency measures will be ensured «will not compete with each other» and will not disturb the functioning of the single market.
Interventions to reduce demand and energy costs
As the Commission's head said, measures to reduce energy demand are also being considered, «with full respect for the freedom to choose consumers», emphasising energy efficiency, such as upgrading buildings and renewal of industrial equipment.
At the same time, more structural interventions are being promoted to reduce energy costs, with the revision of the emissions trading system (ETS), with interventions in network taxes and charges and with wider reform of the energy mix.
Συμπερασματικά, η Φον ντερ Λάιεν τόνισε ότι η εξάρτηση από τα ορυκτά καύσιμα καθιστά την Ευρώπη ευάλωτη σε κρίσεις και υψηλές τιμές, τονίζοντας ότι η μετάβαση προς ανανεώσιμες πηγές και πυρηνική ενέργεια αποτελεί τη μόνη μακροπρόθεσμη λύση για ενεργειακή ανεξαρτησία και σταθερότητα για την Ε.Ε.. Ανέφερε, επίσης, ότι θα πρέπει να επιταχυνθούν οι επενδύσεις σε δίκτυα, αποθήκευση και ηλεκτροδότηση της οικονομίας, με αξιοποίηση ευρωπαϊκών πόρων αλλά και με κινητοποίηση ιδιωτικών κεφαλαίων, ώστε να ενισχυθεί η ενεργειακή ασφάλεια και να μειωθούν οι τιμές με βιώσιμο τρόπο.
With information from APR-APM
