China News Service, October 12th. According to the "Central News Agency" report, in the face of the challenge of soaring energy prices, the European Commission is working on a "toolbox" policy for member states to deal with, including suggestions for lowering energy value-added tax and Consumption tax, financial subsidies for low-income households and small businesses, etc.
The recovery of the global economy from the new crown epidemic has led to a surge in electricity demand, which has triggered a shortage of natural gas and soaring prices. Europe is about to enter the winter, and heating demand will only increase. EU countries are highly concerned about energy prices that may lead to price fluctuations in the civilian population and call on the EU Propose countermeasures as soon as possible.
Kadri Simson, the EU’s executive commissioner in charge of energy affairs, recently stated that the EU is working on a set of response policies that can be used by member states. This week, it will propose a toolbox for member states to assist disadvantaged groups and encounters. Difficult business.
According to many European media reports, the European Commission recommends that without distorting competition and splitting the EU’s internal energy market, policy tools to cope with rising energy will include lowering energy value-added tax and consumption tax. Small businesses in difficulty provide financial subsidies, etc., and plan to set up a coordination group.
In addition, Brussels is also studying measures to solve the problem in the longer term, such as joint procurement and storage of natural gas. This idea may be proposed at the EU summit at the end of October, allowing member states to express support or opposition.
In early October, France announced that in order to reduce pressure on consumers, it would temporarily curb the continued price increase of natural gas and limit the increase in electricity tariffs originally scheduled for February 2022.
In addition, the governments of Spain, Italy and Greece are also formulating relevant subsidy measures.