Things are moving forward with the planned solidarity agreement for gas deliveries in emergencies between Switzerland, Germany and Italy. On Friday, the Federal Council gave the green light for the signing of the trilateral agreement. The final decision on the agreement lies with Parliament.
In January, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Energy Minister Albert Rösti announced that the three countries wanted to conclude the gas agreement soon. Even if the energy situation in Europe has now improved compared to the last two winters, such an agreement would “make sense” in an emergency, said Rösti. You want to be prepared for the future.
Legend: Albert Rösti defends the Federal Council’s vision of the CO₂ law during the spring session in parliament. Keystone/PETER KLAUNZER
Now the time has come: the entire Federal Council has authorized Rösti to sign this agreement, as he announced. In addition, the responsible departments have been instructed to submit a consultation template with the application for ratification and the necessary commitment credits by May. Parliament will decide on this.
Agreement as a last resort
Switzerland does not have its own gas storage facilities. It depends on neighboring countries. Without a contract, there is a risk that neighboring countries will reduce their gas deliveries to Switzerland in the event of a shortage. The trilateral solidarity agreement is intended to regulate mutual gas deliveries in emergency situations – for example so that hospitals and households can receive a stable supply of gas even in acute crises.
This means that when an emergency is declared and after all possible measures have been taken domestically, Switzerland can turn to the two neighboring countries and ask for solidarity in supplying protected Swiss customers. In return, Switzerland can also be asked for solidarity in an emergency. The three states also guarantee that the existing transport capacities in their networks will not be restricted.
Germany already has several such solidarity agreements with EU countries. Switzerland should now join the gas solidarity agreement between Germany and Italy. The EU Commission had already pre-examined the agreement. It wanted to ensure that “intergovernmental energy agreements do not endanger the EU’s security of supply and the functioning of the internal market,” it said at the time.