European Union leaders agreed during a summit in Brussels on measures to counter the rise in energy prices, amid ongoing disagreements over setting a ceiling for Russian gas prices.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel announced the deal during a joint press conference late on Thursday.
Von der Leyen spoke of a "very good road map", while Michel spoke of a package of measures that must now be dealt with carefully, indicating an atmosphere of unity and solidarity among European leaders.
Michel said that these measures are aimed at containing energy prices for homes and companies, adding that the results of the measures agreed upon by the leaders of the Union will be quickly reflected on the energy markets.
He added that the European Union countries will continue to work to address the energy crisis that began after the war launched by Russia against Ukraine on February 24.
According to the President of the European Council, the agreement was reached after lengthy negotiations between European Union leaders on the best way to confront high energy prices, during which many called for setting a ceiling on gas prices.
While French President Emmanuel Macron said that the envisaged mechanisms could be implemented at the end of October or the beginning of next November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated the possibility of holding a new European summit if the energy ministers of the European Union countries could not agree on Final version.
The President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council spoke about the European Agreement during a press conference in Brussels (European News Agency)
European divisions
Al-Jazeera correspondent in Brussels stated that 15 EU member states, including France, Italy and Spain, support setting a ceiling for Russian gas prices, while countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, are still questioning the feasibility of this measure.
In this context, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the leaders reached an agreement at the European summit to exempt his country from applying the ceiling on Russian gas prices.
Hungary was one of the European Union member states that expressed reservations about setting a ceiling on Russian gas prices.
Before the war on Ukraine, Europe imported 40% of its gas needs from Russia, but European imports recorded a significant decline, at a time when European countries are seeking to stop relying on Russian gas and replace it with other sources.
Moscow had warned that setting a ceiling on Russian gas prices would halt supplies to Europe, while there are still fears that some European countries will face a difficult winter due to gas shortages.
European Union leaders are continuing their meeting for the second day to discuss ways to confront all the repercussions of the Russian war on Ukraine.
Today, European leaders are expected to complete their discussions on ways to support Ukraine after the successive military developments and the intense Russian missile strikes that targeted Ukraine and caused great damage to energy facilities.
The rise in gas and electricity bills in Europe led to an increase in inflation rates, and demonstrations calling on governments to curb the cost of living.