BRUSSELS – The end-of-year European summit held on Thursday 16 December here in Brussels lasted over 14 hours. No precise decisions were expected, but the discussions were long and animated. The heads of state and government have agreed on how to deal with Russian threats in Ukraine, but have shown divisions on the possible adoption of restrictions on free movement in the midst of the viral pandemic and above all on the next choices in the energy field.
France and Germany do not follow Italy
While Italy has decided to ask for tests on entry into its territory also for vaccinated travelers, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in a joint press conference that they do not intend to follow the Italian example, imitated by the Greece, Portugal and Ireland. “We do not foresee tests within the Union, as we want to preserve the proper functioning of our common space,” said Emmanuel Macron. The latter held a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who attended his first European summit.
It is not the first time that the two countries have spoken together after a summit. It happens when Paris and Berlin want to reaffirm the importance of their collaboration. This time the joint press conference came after Paris and Rome recently signed the Quirinale Treaty with great pomp. The Twenty-seven pledged to speed up as much as possible the administration of the third dose of vaccine, defined as “crucial and urgent” and considering this the most effective way to respond to the new wave of infections while the viral pandemic shows no signs of diminishing in intensity. Currently 67% of the European population is vaccinated with two doses. “We are in a race against time,” explained Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Divisions also on energy
There have also been divisions on the energy front. The Twenty-Seven have not agreed on how to respond to the sharp rise in prices. Some countries, led by France (and Italy) are insisting on market reform. Today the price of electricity largely depends on the price of gas, and therefore is subject to increases. On the other side are Germany and other Northern European countries – actually a solid majority of countries – who see the current situation as temporary.
A noisy minority of Member States, on the other hand, would like to take advantage of the situation to promote particular national interests. According to information gathered on the sidelines of the summit, Hungary took the opportunity to criticize the “Fit for 55” program, to reduce harmful emissions between now and 2030, to which it attributes the increase in energy prices. Poland accuses Russia of manipulating the market and, together with the Czech Republic, wants a reform of the Co2 trading market (ETS). Finally, the Twenty-seven continue to have different positions on the role to be given to nuclear power and gas in the energy transition, and in particular in the taxonomy, that is the classification that must serve to convey investments in energy projects. “This is not the responsibility of the Council, but it is no secret that there are strong differences around the table,” noted European Council President Charles Michel.