For months, the EU has been trying to find a solution to the skyrocketing gas prices in Europe, without success. Several countries have asked for a cap on the price of gas, but cannot expect any help from Norway.
– There is probably someone who misunderstands a bit and thinks that the Norwegian state is selling the gas. But it’s the companies operating on the Norwegian continental shelf that sell the gas to other European companies, Vedum says.
– Dialogue of God
On Tuesday he is in Brussels to attend a meeting between finance ministers from EU and EFTA countries Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Energy prices are at the top of the agenda there.
– It’s not that I or the Prime Minister decide the prices. It happens in the negotiations between the parties, Vedum points out.
He adds that Norway has a good dialogue with the European Commission on gas. Norway is the main supplier of gas in Europe and, together with the Commission, has set up a working group to examine measures to stabilize prices.
– It means a huge amount for Europe that we are such a heavy supplier of gas, says the finance minister.
He believes that the EU rules are too strict
Later on Tuesday, Vedum will meet with Finance Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni. There he will ask for changes to the EU rules for state aid and the practice of differentiated employer tax.
– We believe it is being practiced too strictly and that it affects a number of companies, especially in northern Norway, says Vedum.
