Decisions on aid to consumers and industry if increases in fuel, gas and electricity prices exceed the critical barrier will be decided by the leaders of the European Union (EU), said this Monday, the 16th, the Minister of the Environment.
“The final decisions will be taken at the European Council, on Thursday and Friday, this was a preparatory meeting”, Maria da Graça Carvalho told journalists, on the sidelines of the Council of ministers responsible for the 27 Member States.
There are systems to help people and companies, particularly in terms of social electricity and gas tariffs, he said.
Maria da Graça Carvalho highlighted that this meeting will result in a list of various possibilities “which will be discussed on Thursday and Friday”, at the summit”.
Among the possible immediate aid, the minister exemplified with “the solidarity bottle program”, which has already paid, in 2024, ten euros per gas cylinder and 15 euros in 2025.
“It’s very easy, it’s my decree, which can take 20 [euros]for example,” he explained.
Any other mechanism, such as interfering with the market price, must be compensated by the State budget.
With regard to fuel prices, Graça Carvalho reiterated that, on diesel and gasoline, a discount is made relative to the increase in VAT that would revert to the State.
“In the case of electricity and gas, especially gas, which is very important for the industry, the Government will take ready measures to help”, he said.
The United States and Israel launched a military attack against Iran on February 28, killing former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in office since 1989, during the offensive.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched retaliatory strikes against targets in Israel, US bases and other infrastructure in countries in the region.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has already admitted the imposition of ceilings on the price of gas, highlighting that the increase in energy prices is already costing taxpayers three billion euros, but refused to increase imports from Russia.
EU leaders meet in Brussels on March 19 and 20, with the agenda dominated by the crisis caused by the war in Iran and the conflict in Ukraine.
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