Prague, Michel: "Important first step, we continue to discuss how to lower the price of gas"

To summarize the meaning of the words spoken in Prague by

, President of the European Council, the summit of

was a success: the road has been traced and a first important step has been taken, pending subsequent and equally important

. .

He said this at a press conference, at the end of the two days in the castle of Hradčany: "Yesterday was a historic day", Michel says. "There was the first meeting of the European Political Community. We can say:

. We were able to listen to each other for understand how to cooperate and have an

on issues that matter to the European continent. Europe and the world need this unity ".

The "facade" satisfaction is combined with awareness and determination to act on the crucial points that will bring together the work that awaits Europe and its partners: "There is the common ambition of leaders to

, and work with the EU Council and the Commission.

Today's Council was a strategic step on the way to the next European Council.

That should be an opportunity to take necessary steps forward ”adds the Prime Minister.

The work therefore focuses on the energy emergency and the alarming rise in gas prices, in a context of increasing independence from Russian supplies.

Every means is legitimate to shut down Moscow's financial taps, from sanctions to halting purchases of fuels sold by the Kremlin.

"The summit was an opportunity to reiterate our

" continues Michel.

"We are determined to

for Ukraine's support: financial, humanitarian, military and political."

Then specifying that "we take all escalation threats seriously but

, we want to defend the interests of those who believe in international law", the President of the Council of Brussels marks his greatest satisfaction on one aspect in particular: "These two days were also an opportunity to highlight the importance of

.

We know that this war, decided by Russia, has enormous consequences all over the world, not just for the European continent, the food crisis and the energy crisis, and we are determined to support our partners around the world with regard to the crisis. food, ”said Charles Michel.

Dursun Aydemir / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Michel during the summit in Prague

Ursula von der Leyen: "United in support for Ukraine, another two billion in aid in the coming days"

The current president of the European Union, the landlord

, and the president of the Commission

also participated in the joint press conference .

The latter, in her speech, takes stock of aid and support for Volodymyr Zelensky's government: "Team Europe, which includes the EU and the member states, is the main supporter of Ukraine together with the US and, since the beginning of the invasion, we have made

not to mention military assistance and including the 2 billion euro of macro-financial assistance that will be allocated in the next few days ”explains von der Leyen.

"The European Union is determined that Russia pays for its invasion, we are united in support" adds the president of the Commission, specifying that Europe will make its proximity to Kiev felt even in the next phase, in the "medium-term" when it's time to rebuild.

The heart of the discussion then focused on "high gas and electricity prices".

The 44 leaders gathered in Prague initiated the debate on the "

, on how to tackle these issues".

The proposals to be discussed will then be examined in the coming weeks, addressing "our partners, NATO", says Ursula von der Leyen.

And then, again on the most urgent issue: despite the fact that, already in the morning, the president of the European Commission had made it clear that the agreement on the

would not exist (given the informality of the Prague summit), it is the common objective of the Europe and its partners discuss how to

.

First of all, it is necessary to identify "new sums of funding" - which however is "sustainable" - and act with a "structured approach".

Ursula von der Leyen reassures us about the coming months: “We are much better prepared for the winter.

At the beginning of the war,

were at 41%, today we are

.

It is the progress made to get rid of Russian fossil fuels.

The

are

, 15% more than last year ".

In anticipation of next year, with the arrival of spring, when the reserves will be exhausted, the president of the European Commission says that "it will be of primary importance to have a

, so that we avoid competing with each other. to have a collective bargaining power ".

For this, Ursula von der Leyen adds, “we are looking for

".