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European leaders gathered at the European Council to address pressing economic challenges, energy grid stability, and security along the Union’s eastern border.
Statement by Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
«Therefore, as you have seen, an intense European Council, various points on the agenda. I try to quickly focus on the issues that for us were, are, and remain of major importance: the topic of competitiveness, particularly the issue of energy prices. I am glad that the conclusions of the European Council include several issues that we had raised in past weeks, even in the document we wrote together with the Czech Republic regarding the ETS issue. There is the reference to the reserve stability market, there is the reference to ETS 2, to the need to evaluate timing and safeguards regarding ETS 2, and there is the reference to the revision of the ETS, which is particularly urgent. Alongside this, in parallel we have closed the negotiation with the European Commission on the so-called decree on bills.»
Statement by Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania
«President Zelensky is a wise politician who genuinely seeks dialogue, even with those involved in the war against Ukraine, provided certain clear and understandable conditions are met. Rather than focusing artificially on specific external relationships, President Zelensky is fully capable of managing these diplomatic efforts himself, while Europe must maintain a single, clear priority first and foremost.»
Statement by Andris Kulbergs, Prime Minister of Latvia
«Because the economy is not doing that great, we can see what the energy sector is bringing to Europe and what the Hormuz impact is on all economic aspects. That was a key point of discussion yesterday as well. We on the eastern flank suffer the most due to our geographical situation. The European report from February clearly states that we face 3.7 percentage points higher inflation and 1.9 percentage points lower GDP growth simply because we are adjacent to the warzone and are keeping Europe’s eastern border strong. This means we have to invest the most, borrow the most, incur the highest deficits, absorb the economic impact, and still defend the border against Russia’s hybrid and cyber attacks.»