By Monday, our country could still endorse the initiative of more than 10 EU countries, federal government circles say.
–
More than 10 EU countries call in a letter to significantly reduce Europe’s gas dependence by 2030 and to act as one bloc against ‘Russian aggression’. Striking: Belgium is missing from that list. No procedure had yet been started to join our country in the initiative. Since the climate portfolio is spread over the different policy levels, the Flemish government is also involved. “It was assumed that the N-VA would vote against,” it sounds in federal government circles.
Despite this hesitation, Belgium could also sign the initiative of countries such as Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain by Monday, was informed The standard† ‘The intra-Belgian procedure was initiated to (the letter, red.) can still be endorsed’, says Tom Meulenberghs, spokesman for Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD).
At the cabinet of Flemish Minister for the Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA) they deny that the procedure was started.
Continue paradigm shift
With the joint statement, the initiators are putting pressure on European negotiations to reduce gas consumption by 30 percent by 2030. This is in line with the European Commission’s target of reducing our joint CO2emissions by at least 55 percent. The letter underlines that only in this way can the import of Russian gas be completely stopped as soon as possible. ‘The negotiations must therefore go faster and the ambitions increased.’
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the energy market has undergone a paradigm shift. Europe must capitalize on this and continue the green transition: ‘Now it is important to be courageous and determined to carry on’, the letter reads. “Any delay or hesitation will only prolong our dependence.” In addition to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Latvia and Slovenia also signed the letter.
Support content
Whether Belgium endorses the international initiative or not, our country is already taking action to accelerate the energy transition, says a spokesperson for Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen). ‘We have already taken measures at the federal level, so we provide substantive support.’
The cabinet of Climate Minister Zakia Khattabi (Ecolo) was not available for comment.
–
