Dublin, September 29 (QNA) - EU energy ministers are meeting in Dublin, Ireland, today to discuss ways to ease the burden of rising fuel and gas prices ahead of a winter expected to be tough for consumers.
European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen said the situation remains critical, noting that the escalation in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have caused an additional energy cost of more than EUR 100 billion since late February to secure supplies for the EU's 27 member states.
The informal meeting isn't expected to produce any major declarations, but it aims to coordinate the European response to the crisis in collaboration with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.
Ahead of the meeting, Jorgensen urged the 27 member states to curb gas demand and electricity consumption during peak hours, as the European Commission seeks to avoid countries rushing to fill their gas storage facilities, which could drive prices even higher.
Although average gas storage levels in the EU stand at about 70 percent, with levels at 82 percent in France compared with 57 percent in Germany and the Netherlands, Jorgensen stressed that there is currently no immediate risk to security of supply.
The European Commission is concerned that rising prices could trigger widespread protests and therefore recommends providing targeted support to the hardest-hit sectors. It has also eased its rules on state aid.
Responses vary among countries, ranging from broad tax cuts in Portugal and Romania to assistance for specific sectors in France, which already faces a budget deficit.
  To ease rising fuel prices, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Brussels for a series of facilitations, including a one-year delay in implementing a European law aimed at curbing methane emissions. (QNA)