Pedro Sánchez calls for urgent EU action on electricity costs and expresses solidarity with Slovakia in the Ukraine crisis

Bratislava (Slovakia)

In the current "defining" moment for Europe following the start of the invasion of Ukraine ordered by the Russian government, Spain argues that the EU cannot be an "energy hostage" to Vladimir Putin.

For months now, our country has been pushing for a reform of the European energy market that would act at the heart of the problem of escalating electricity prices and decouple the 'cost of natural gas - final cost of electricity' connection in the wholesale markets.

The negative and "unfair" effects on EU households and businesses of this inflationary energy price tension are now further aggravated by the aggression against Ukraine, endangering Europe's energy security. "A war that neither the Ukrainians nor the EU wanted, only Putin. In the face of their irrationality, which fears the European model of the rule of law, freedoms and social justice, we must preserve European unity," stressed President Sánchez.

Unity in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, sanctions against Putin's regime and solutions that address the economic costs of the invasion for all Europeans, energy being a strategic issue.

Pedro Sánchez thanked Prime Minister Heger for his constructive stance and commitment to study urgent solutions to amend the current energy market model in Europe, in two aspects: security of supply and halting the escalation of prices. "The increase in electricity prices, which time has shown was not due to innocent temporary factors, cannot end up being paid by our families, nor can we allow it to jeopardise the competitiveness and viability of our companies and the economic recovery", stressed the president of the Government of Spain.

Pool Moncloa / Fernando CalvoSpain and Slovakia have long been taking measures to cushion the high costs of electricity. However, there is a need to move beyond individual government reactions. Sánchez stressed the need to adopt urgent solutions at a European level, which would allow a "coherent and unified response to a common challenge", as recognised by the European Commission in its latest REpowerEU communication.

The president also acknowledged "the attitude of the Slovak people, whose hospitality is a lesson in humanity", welcoming thousands of Ukrainians who cross the border fleeing the horror of war, in which "Slovakia knows that it can count on Spain".

"It is the first time in 12 years that a Spanish head of Government has visited Slovakia. I wanted to do this at this time to meet my friends, in a country where there is war on the other side of the border, to show our total solidarity and friendship.

Both President Sánchez and Prime Minister Heger agreed on the importance of preserving the unity of response to Putin's regime that the EU is demonstrating.

Non official translation