European Union
Statement summary
Von der Leyen calls for targeted support for households and industries facing high energy costs
Von der Leyen states imported fossil fuels cost Europe 100 billion euros extra and calls for targeted support for households and industries facing high energy costs.
“Check against delivery” Madam President, dear Roberta, Minister Byrne, Honourable Members, Let me start directly with a topic affecting us all – the high energy costs. Families and industries are paying the cost of a crisis far beyond our borders. Since the end of February, gas prices have risen by 140%. Diesel prices have doubled. Altogether, imported fossil fuel have cost Europe €100 billion extra since the start of the Iran war. Without a single molecule of additional energy. We are all feeling these higher costs. Businesses are under high pressure. People struggle to pay their bills. And this could intensify as we head into winter. So, we need to act now. To protect those most in need. And to make sure we come out of this crisis stronger than we entered it. That we address the structural problems. Honourable Members, We have prevailed before. Four years ago, Russia tried to...