As Minister Moskwa stressed, since the beginning of the debate on the problem of high energy prices, Poland has indicated its two key reasons – ignoring the negative role of the dominant supplier in the natural gas market and an excessive increase in prices of ETS allowances.

In order to mitigate the potential economic and social impact of the current crisis of energy prices, we are planning to introduce a number of national measures, such as an inflation allowance for households or temporary tax reductions, inter alia, VAT or excise duty. However, we are afraid that some recent proposals of the Commission, such as those contained in the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive, will limit the Member States’ flexibility in introducing such measures in the future.

– she said.

The head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment also pointed out that for a stable environment of the development of the internal gas market, it is necessary to provide and apply appropriate measures discouraging companies from taking activities which are inconsistent with the competition law or internal market rules.

In response to the current crisis, it is reasonable to carry out an in-depth analysis of the behaviour of certain suppliers, which, in our opinion, meets the criteria of a violation of the Treaty provisions.

– she stressed.

During a conversation with the EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, Minister Moskwa appealed to the European Union for taking decisive activities to minimise the effects of the current crisis of energy prices and for explaining the issue of practices violating antitrust rules.

Minister Anna Moskwa also pointed out that the European Commission had announced, as part of the so-called “toolbox”, the presentation of a supplementary delegated act under the Taxonomy Regulation, which should allow to make sustainable investments in natural gas and nuclear energy.

Particularly in the face of the current crisis, we should send a clear signal to investors, providing them with a possibility of planning projects necessary for energy transition.

– she explained.

During the event, the issues related to the “Fit for 55” package were also discussed. The Minister of Climate and Environment stressed that the package is a great challenge for Poland and the issue of the feasibility of implementing the reduction commitments contained therein should be perceived in much broader terms than through the prism of climate protection.

These commitments are, first of all, aimed at protecting the climate, however, their implementation has an enormous impact on economic and social issues. Our government continues to reiterate the need to ensure a fair transition. In our opinion, it is possible to pursue an ambitious climate policy while securing social issues, but it also requires appropriate financial mechanisms, providing adequate support, both investment and compensating for potential negative effects of the activities being carried out.

– said the minister.

We should also be very careful as regards changes likely to lead to increasing burden on society and as early as at this stage we should properly ensure the protection of vulnerable recipients

– she added.

Bilateral meetings of Minister Anna Moskwa

During her stay in Brussels, Minister Anna Moskwa also held a number of bilateral meetings with the representatives of: Romania, Finland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Spain, Lithuania and France, which will take over the presidency of the EU Council in the next year. During the talks, the Minister raised the issues related to cooperation in the field of energy. As stressed by the head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, it is extremely important to build a coalition with countries on the provisions of the “Fit For 55” package and the EU ETS European Emissions Trading System. During the bilateral talks, the issues related to the crisis of prices of gas in the European market were also raised, so were the needs to initiate antitrust proceedings.