The EU refuses to re-import Russian energy, sending a message to promote renewable energy
Escalating conflicts in the Middle East have caused international energy prices to surge. On March 16, the EU Energy Commissioner Jorgensen stated that despite the pressure, the EU will not give in and does not plan to re-import energy from Russia. At the same time, the call for promoting renewable energy will also have an impact.
On the 16th, EU energy ministers met in Brussels to discuss various issues including energy security. The issue of surging energy prices due to the recent conflicts in the Middle East was also of concern. There are also calls within the EU to re-examine the relationship with Russia on energy issues.
According to a report by the political news website POLITICO Europe, EU Energy Commissioner Jorgensen attended the meeting and told the media that the EU will never give in to pressure and has no intention of re-importing energy from Russia. Europe cannot indirectly fund Russia's brutal and illegal war.
Jorgensen said that long-term over-reliance on Russian energy has allowed Russian President Putin to use energy as a tool for extortion and even weaponize it. The EU is determined to maintain its current strategy on these issues, and repeating the same mistake would be a major blunder.
EU Commission President von der Leyen had also publicly stated on the 11th that during the current crisis, some people have suggested abandoning long-term strategies and even relying again on Russian fossil fuels, "this is a strategic mistake, doing so would make us more dependent, more vulnerable, and more fragile."
Face with the reality that European natural gas prices have surged by 50% within two weeks after the outbreak of the Iran war, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Stoyl said: "Tell EU decision-makers: the energy market turbulence caused by the Iran war is a 'painful lesson' of the risks of relying on fossil fuels. He emphasized that governments should push for the economy to gradually reduce dependence on oil and gas. Continuing to rely on fossil fuels is 'completely a fantasy'."
Stoyl pointed out that transitioning to renewable energy such as wind and solar can bring cheaper energy, create green energy jobs, and ensure stable supply. He said, "Being obedient to fossil fuel imports will keep Europe stumbling through crises forever. Renewable energy turns the situation around because sunlight does not depend on narrow and fragile transport straits."
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859857488098313/
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