The member states must ensure the security of the energy supply, but at the same time they can only declare a state of emergency and the resulting measures if there is a clear risk of interruption of the supply, said the European Commission's energy commissioner in his published statement on the Hungarian energy emergency.
Kadri Simson wrote that the energy emergency plan announced by Hungary on Wednesday also includes measures that limit the flow of natural gas and other energy carriers between member states in the EU's single market. Hungary did not notify the European Commission of these planned measures, he underlined.
The Estonian commissioner stated that the European Commission contacted the Hungarian authorities to better understand what the emergency plan covers and to assess the impact of the measures on the neighboring member states.
Kadri Simson reminded that the EU has implemented a solid legal framework to ensure security of supply in the spirit of solidarity between member states. The member states must ensure the security of supply, but at the same time, a state of emergency and the resulting measures can only be declared if there is a clear risk of interruption of supply , and if the member states notify the European Commission of their declaration, so that the neighboring member states can be informed and negotiations can begin with them.
Individual member state restrictions affecting cross-border natural gas deliveries are unjustified and only exacerbate the problems in the current gas market situation, he said.
He stated: according to the current regulations on security of supply, all EU member states have an obligation of solidarity. This means that in case of urgent need, they must help their neighbors by supplying energy to the so-called protected users, he wrote.
He emphasized that within the internal market, exports can only be restricted if it is justified by a very specific reason, such as the protection of public order or public health. Economic reasons are never a legitimate reason , he underlined.
Kadri Simson also stated: in order to be able to react effectively to the decrease in gas deliveries from Russia, a unified and coordinated approach is needed at the EU level, and the legal framework of the EU energy policy and the single market rules must be respected. The European Union has been working hard for months to ensure preparedness, and the European Commission will present concrete proposals on July 20 to help the EU face this winter in a prepared manner, added the energy commissioner.
Source: MTI
Photo: Facebook.com/mepkadrisimson
