Increasing energy prices show that competitiveness and geopolitics are 2 sides of the same medal, and instability in the mediate East has direct consequences for European households and businesses," said European Parliament president Robert Metsol on Thursday.
The EP head, who traditionally met with EU leaders at the European Council gathering in Brussels, said at a press conference after that gathering that since the crisis, Europe has paid billions more for energy imports and will increase the cost if the disruption persists. Therefore, in order to guarantee energy independence, the EU should invest in energy storage, reducing its energy dependence on 3rd countries and accelerating the modernisation of its energy networks.
– That's the point if we're talking about independence. Otherwise, we will simply proceed to pay a advanced price, our citizens should not be exposed to it," she added.
JG, PAP
