Macron: France, Germany to provide each other with gas, electricity, to weather crisis

By Benoit Van Overstraeten and Ingrid Melander

PARIS -France will ship gasoline to Germany if wanted whereas Germany stands prepared to offer it with electrical energy, President Emmanuel Macron mentioned on Monday, saying this showcased European solidarity within the face of the power disaster stemming from the warfare in Ukraine.

European gasoline costs surged, share costs slid and the euro sank on Monday after Russia stopped pumping gasoline by way of a significant provide route, in one other warning to the 27-nation EU because it scrambled to answer the disaster forward of winter.

“Germany wants our gasoline and we want energy from the remainder of Europe, notably Germany,” France’s president advised a information convention following a telephone name with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The mandatory connections for France to ship gasoline to Germany when wanted can be finalised within the coming weeks, he mentioned, including that France, which had lengthy been a internet exporter of electrical energy, will need assistance from its neighbours due to technical issues its nuclear vegetation face.

Macron, nonetheless, mentioned that he didn't perceive demand for a 3rd gasoline hyperlink between France and Spain, rejecting calls to extend capability with a brand new pipeline. [L8N30C3NT]

He added he was open to altering his thoughts on that time, ought to Scholz or Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez argue convincingly for it.

Forward of a gathering on Friday of EU power ministers, Macron mentioned France was in favour of shopping for gasoline at a European slightly than a nationwide degree and referred to as for European Union measures to manage power costs.

He mentioned it was essential to act towards hypothesis on power costs at EU degree and likewise mentioned France was in favour of placing a cap on the value of pipeline Russian gasoline.

Macron additionally repeated requires all to show down air conditioners when it’s scorching and to restrict heating to 19 levels Celsius this winter.

“Everybody has to do their bit,” he mentioned.