September 1, 2022
1 min read

Belgium urges EU to manage soaring energy prices

De Croo has therefore started talks with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to study possibilities of reducing energy prices…reports Asian Lite News

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has urged the EU to take responsibility to manage the skyrocketing energy prices that had reached an unsustainable level in recent weeks.

“It is only at (the) European level that we will succeed in reducing prices. Only Europe can achieve this,” he said on Wednesday.

The federal government and the representatives of Belgium’s federated entities met in Brussels on Tuesday in a Consultation Committee (CODECO) and managed to come up with additional measures to deal with soaring energy prices at national level, while at the same time calling on the EU to assume its responsibilities.

De Croo has therefore started talks with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to study possibilities of reducing energy prices.

“Since March, our country has been pleading for measures to be taken on gas prices, and in particular to achieve a freeze on gas prices,” he said, adding that von der Leyen announced at the beginning of the week that an emergency mechanism would be put in place to lower energy prices.

In view of the rising energy prices, CODECO has decided to extend all the support measures already in force until March 31, 2023. These include a 6 per cent VAT reduction on gas and electricity, reduction of excise duties on fuel, and extension of social tariffs and fuel vouchers to target groups.

Among other measures announced, the public authorities will lower heating. They will reduce the use of air conditioning and turn off the lights in every building.

The Belgian Prime Minister also called for the responsibility of every citizen to reduce their energy consumption.

In addition, negotiations, which aims to obtain from banks deferral of the mortgage payment, are also underway with the financial sector to help some people with higher energy bills. Negotiations with the financial sector in financing energy-saving measures are also underway.

ALSO READ-KSrelief chief meets Belgium envoy in Riyadh

Previous Story

India among 13 participants in Vostok 2022 war games

Next Story

Body weight exercises for full body strength training

Latest from EU News

EU prepares retaliation for Trump’s tariffs

The European Commission is assembling a fresh round of counter-tariffs aimed at US goods, adding to two existing lists of potential targets—one of which includes products that were hit by suspended tariffs

US, EU slam China’s war games near Taiwan

US President Donald Trump underscored the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, advocating for a diplomatic approach to cross-strait tensions while warning against the use of force The United States

France Taps Into $700M Gulf Energy Shift

From 7 to 9 April in the UAE, a delegation of 19 French companies will showcase advanced solutions designed to modernise, secure, and enhance the sustainability of energy infrastructure France is set

Germany approves $3.25 Bn in new Ukraine military aid

The money is earmarked for defence equipment for the country fighting Russian forces, including munitions, drones, armored vehicles and air-defence systems Germany approved three billion euros ($3.25 billion) in new military aid
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sharjah explores new synergies with Belgium’s creative industries

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government

France to issue decrees to save energy

She said that shops keeping their doors closed while air