The extraordinary EU Energy Council was an important step towards developing a common position of the Member States on the problem of high energy prices. However, as the Deputy Minister emphasised, it is necessary to take further real action, including by the European Commission in the context of the European Council conclusions of 22 October, to counteract and contain increases in electricity and gas prices. 

During the meeting, Deputy Minister for Climate and Environment, Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński, also pointed out that, in addition to ad hoc measures taken by the Member States, we also need urgent action at the EU level, in particular regarding the functioning of the gas market and the issue of high ETS allowance prices.

We should immediately launch an antitrust investigation to determine whether Gazprom's policy violates competition law and disrupts the functioning of the EU gas market. In addition, we must ensure full enforcement of the European Union law with regard to Nord Stream 2, including the unbundling, third-party access and tariff calculation rules,

he said.

The Deputy Minister also pointed out that soaring ETS prices are also responsible for spikes in energy prices. 

Existing safeguards against excessive ETS allowance price increases should be used or reinforced as soon as possible. We expect that the study on the functioning of the EU ETS system, to which the European Council has invited the Commission, will thoroughly check the impact of speculative behaviour on ETS allowance prices,

he said.

As the Deputy Minister for Climate and Environment stressed, Member States should adapt the legal framework ensuring the security of gas supply in the EU so as to make more effective use of preventive measures, such as mandatory gas storage, to manage geopolitical risks. In addition, the Deputy Minister added that it is very important to provide good conditions for investment in low-carbon technologies within the so-called taxonomy.

We need to create a coherent taxonomy system that provides the investment climate for the technologies needed for a smooth transition to low-carbon and secure energy systems. We need solutions for gas power stations and nuclear energy. The new regulation must be presented as soon as possible,

he pointed out.

Deputy Minister Guibourgé-Czetwertyński also reminded that Poland has been advocating a just energy transition since the very beginning of the EU debate on climate neutrality. 

In order to prevent future price fluctuations, it is also necessary to further diversify natural gas supplies and make the EU independent from the actions of a single entity. In addition, we need support measures to protect consumers,

he concluded.

In this context, the Deputy Minister for Climate and Environment pointed to the situation in Moldova, where the current energy crisis must not be allowed to escalate. In Poland, we are historically aware how difficult this time may be and the European Union should find adequate tools to remedy this situation. Poland is already helping Moldova. For the first time in history, PGNiG has sent gas from a supplier other than Russia to Moldova.