The third vice president and minister for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, has announced that the Government "does not support" the proposed contingency plan in the face of the possibility that Russia will close the gas tap that the European Commission presented this morning.

"We consider that it is proposed without prior orientation, without a general orientation debate in the European Council, even when the economic consequences and in terms of redistributive impact are particularly important," the minister explained at a press conference.

"Spain has done its homework in this area," boasted the vice president, and has done so "constantly and paying more than many of its European partners."

Ribera advanced that they will work with Europe on everything related to this energy transition -the country is also prepared to become a green hydrogen hub-, but they will not accept measures that they consider unfair after the work carried out.

"We will resist the imposition of obligations that are above, in terms of effort, what corresponds to us and what is asked of other community partners."

Thus, the Executive assures that "whatever happens, Spanish families are not going to suffer gas cuts or power cuts in their homes."

In the same way, he assured that "Spain is going to defend the position of the Spanish industry", referring to the recent statement in which the great Spanish industry also rejected the forced cuts in countries that had already diversified their gas sources.

In any case, Ribera has opened the door to debate and has recalled the leading role of Spain and its regasification plants.

"Whatever happens in a few days that will be key and in which we invite our European partners to debate in an open, transparent and respectful way about the best ways to support", pointed out the third vice president.

As she declared, they will do so "aware that Spain has a fundamental role in this context, since it is the gateway for more than 30% of liquefied natural gas to Europe."

This infrastructure, Ribera defended, is prepared "to give very important support to our neighbors."

When the Council meets (on the 26th) Spain will "defend the interests of all Spaniards with a supportive, effective, efficient and, hopefully, coordinated proposal".

"We have the greatest interest in this being the case," assured the minister before appealing to the three principles that have guided the EU's action in these months: unity, solidarity and flexibility.

They are aware, he pointed out, that there are partners "who are having a hard time" and who fear autumn and winter - Germany is one of them - and will help and support them, but "defending the respect that we Spaniards also deserve and the Spanish industry".

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  • Theresa Rivera

  • Russia

  • European Comission

  • Europe

  • Gas