The European Union can reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels by focusing on reducing demand through energy savings, diversifying energy sources and increasing the transition to clean energy, said Commission President Ursula von der. Laine after the meeting of the College of Commissioners.
The meeting adopted a series of proposals to the Member States on the EU's decoupling from Russian fossil fuels, addressing gaps in EU defense investment and providing assistance for the reconstruction of Ukraine, proposals made by Mrs von der Leyen. described as “a milestone on our path to more Europe”.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine poses “fundamental challenges” for the European Union, von der Leyen said, adding that “Putin's war has disrupted the global energy market” and demonstrated the EU's dependence on Russia. “We have already begun the process of transforming the energy system to become climate neutral,” she said, referring to the Europe Green Agreement, adding that the EU was now upgrading its objectives. to ensure that it becomes independent of Russia's fossil fuels as soon as possible.
Already, he noted, the EU has become dependent on coal, and has significantly reduced the percentage of gas it receives from Russia from 40% to 26% from last April to this April.
In particular, presenting the parameters of REPowerEU, Ms. von der Layen pointed out that energy saving is the fastest and cheapest way to deal with the current energy crisis. Among other things, he continued, it is proposed to increase the energy efficiency target for 2030 from 9% to 13% and to increase the target for the use of renewable energy sources from 40% to 45% by 2030.
< p class = "text-paragraph"> The proposals also include the acceleration of procedures for infrastructure for renewable energy sources and the introduction of an obligation to install solar panels in commercial and public buildings by 2025, and in new residential buildings by 2029, objectives which Ms. von der Leyen described as “ambitious but realistic”.
The President of the Commission also referred to the proposal for a joint procurement mechanism and a joint approach of the countries that sell energy and fuels, in order to ensure energy imports without competition between Member States.
This approach, Ms. von der Leyen pointed out, will require large investments. That is why the EU will mobilize almost 300 billion euros, of which 72 billion in funding and 225 billion in loans.
This funding includes up to € 10 billion to fill gaps in gas and liquefied natural gas interconnections “so that no Member State is left out”, while almost € 2 billion will be spent on oil infrastructure given the decision to ban the transport of Russian oil by sea.
The rest of the total funds, he stressed, will be dedicated to accelerating and upgrading processes for the transition to clean and renewable energy sources.
Investments for defense >
According to von der Leyen, the other area in which investment needs to be accelerated is defense, as “the return of war in Europe has highlighted the effects of low investment in defense for several years “.
Noting that the EU has lost a decade in defense investment due to the cuts, the trend is now reversed with Member States announcing € 200 billion in defense investment in the coming years.
The President of the Commission underlined that it must be ensured that these expenditures will be made in a coordinated way in order to fill the gaps identified by both the EU and NATO. Another proposal includes joint procurement as it will financially assist the EU military's forces while utilizing the EU small and medium-sized enterprise network.
The President of the Commission added that a group task force with Member States to coordinate urgent needs, and a financial incentive mechanism for common markets will be set up. The Commission will also propose a regulation granting VAT exemption for common markets in the field of defense.
Strengthen support in Ukraine
The President of the Commission also referred to the support provided by the EU to Ukraine and the need for this support to cover the reconstruction of the country.
“We propose to strengthen the important short-term aid that we have provided up to 9 billion euros in 2022 “said Ms. von der Layen.
Regarding the long-term support to the EU, the President of the Commission noted that it will be based on investments in combination with reforms that will also contribute to the country's progress in its European course.
The plan of support, he noted, should anticipate future needs and be based on the needs identified by the Ukrainian authorities themselves, covering areas such as the fight against corruption, strengthening the administrative capacity of the authorities, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. , in a way that is compatible with green and digital transitions and fundamental European values.
Ms von der Layen added that the Commission is proposing a platform for It will be led by Ukraine and the Commission and will include EU Member States, other donors at bilateral and multilateral level as well as international financial institutions.
The platform's goal is to agree on the direction of future efforts and ensure synergies, “he added.
