The Diplomat
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, yesterday argued that the European Union must “free itself” from dependence on Russian gas and coal, reports Europa Press.
“To do so, we have to diversify our energy sources, guarantee energy efficiency and invest heavily in renewable energies,” Von der Leyen told the media after the meeting with Sánchez at the Moncloa Palace. The meeting was also attended by the First Vice-President and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; and the Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera.
The President of the European Commission considers that Spain “is leading these efforts”, because “it has an “impressive” percentage of renewable energies.
“They have a great energy capacity and enormous expertise and experience in the field of renewable energy. Spain will play an important role in Europe’s energy supply”, he said.
In this regard, Pedro Sánchez said that during the meeting they shared opinions on various aspects related to the EU’s energy independence. “We need to move forward in some key technological sectors. I have no doubt that the EU will emerge stronger from these challenges,” he said.
This energy independence of the EU must also include “firmer” progress in interconnections between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe, the President of the Government added, while Von der Leyen guaranteed that work would be done in this direction.
On the other hand, the President of the European Commission made it a “priority” to help consumers, households and companies to deal with price rises in products and energy bills, one of the issues to be addressed on Thursday and Friday at the informal summit of EU leaders to be held in Versailles (France).
