The EU countries will adopt a definitive goodbye to imports of Russian gas on Monday. This is expected by Climate and Energy Minister Lars Aagaard (M). The announcement comes ahead of a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, where the decision is expected to be made.
- I expect that there will be the necessary majority to adopt the package. But I am of course looking forward to hearing the ministers' positions, says Lars Aagaard.
If they succeed in gathering a qualified majority behind the decision, the EU countries will take an important step towards cutting off Russia from part of the earnings that finance the war against Ukraine.
Although the war has now lasted for more than three years and seven months, a number of EU countries continue to send billions of kroner to Russia to buy Russian gas. But it must end now, hopes Lars Aagaard.
- I call it a freedom package for the EU, because it is about ending our dependence on Russian energy, says Lars Aagaard.
Hope for agreement before the New Year
By virtue of the Danish EU presidency, he will be at the head of the table at the meeting on Monday. The decision could thus be one of the most significant results of the Danish EU presidency. After adoption among the EU countries, the Danish EU presidency will seek rapid negotiations with the EU Parliament.
- Our goal is that we can conclude the negotiations before the New Year. This will allow us to meet the dates set out in the EU Commission's proposal, says Lars Aagaard.
The original proposal from the EU Commission planned for the phase-out to start in 2026 for short-term contracts, while the entire phase-out of long-term contracts should also be ready from 1 January 2028.
After US President Donald Trump demanded that the EU stop buying Russian energy in an attempt to pressure Russia to make peace, the EU Commission brought forward the end date to 1 January 2027. In connection with the move, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, said:
- Europe unfortunately continues to import liquefied natural gas, also known as LNG, on a large scale from Russia. This is of course completely unacceptable.
In order to secure energy for Europe, the EU Commission has also agreed to buy energy worth 750 billion dollars in the US in the trade agreement with the US on tariffs. However, it is not only the pressure from the US, but also Russia's continued warfare that, according to Dan Jørgensen, made the EU Commission tighten its course.
- There are two things that are of great importance. One is that Putin refuses to sit down at the negotiating table and is even escalating the conflict by sending drones over European soil. In addition, it is really welcome that there is also pressure from the other side of the Atlantic, where the US is actively leaning in and putting pressure on the EU member states that have been reluctant, said Dan Jørgensen.
/ritzau/
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