Romanian Energy Minister asks EU for solidarity on energy costs

By Romania Journal Last updated Sep 13, 2024

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Romania and neighboring countries are exporting energy to Ukraine and Moldova, but it is not fair for consumers in these countries to bear all the costs, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja stated in a press conference. This comes as energy prices in Eastern Europe have tripled compared to Western countries. Along with Bulgaria and Greece, Romania will request compensatory measures from the European Commission, one option being the extension of capped energy bills for households beyond March 31, 2025.

“The idea of a European energy market is about solidarity, ensuring that everyone benefits. When energy is cheaper in one part of Europe, it should reach other parts so that we can pay similar prices. It’s a matter of living standards for EU citizens and also of competitiveness for the economic environment.

When in Eastern Europe the price is three times higher than in Western Europe, this is certainly not an integrated, single market and a fair competitive economic environment,” said the minister on Friday.

“Even more so in the current context in which we have to support the demand for energy from Ukraine and from our brothers across the Prut, and we demand fair, principled treatment from Brussels, so that we can all support this effort additional. It is not normal to bear this burden alone, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. We have to sit down at the table in the Council of Ministers and tell the truth: we support with the greatest solidarity what is happening in Ukraine and I am not talking about the Republic of Moldova, but at the same time we cannot and it is not right to support all costs”, added Burduja.

When asked what he will specifically request in Brussels, the minister indicated among the options: more funds for investments, delaying the deadlines for closing coal plants, extending the capping of bills for consumers.

Starting from 2022, Romania capped the bills for all consumers until March 31, 2025. Our country was one step away from infringement by the European Commission, because it extended this scheme beyond the end of 2023, as European legislation says.

The Energy Ministers of Romania, Greece and Bulgaria have decided to make a common front before the European Union regarding the energy prices in this region, which are much higher compared to Western countries.

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