António Costa posted on Twitter the importance of energy interconnections, where Portugal and Spain can support other European countries in supplying Europe's natural gas needs.
The two leaders met to discuss and coordinate the position of the two Iberian countries at the extraordinary summit of heads of state and government of the European Union that will take place next Monday and Tuesday in Brussels.
"[energy] interconnections are a priority in the European context, but we need a real political and financial commitment from the EU," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
According to Lisbon, Portugal and Spain together have the installed capacity to supply 30% of Europe's energy needs in natural gas, but cannot provide that capacity because there is no interconnection that allows exporting that natural gas to the rest of Europe.
At the end of March, at an ordinary meeting of the European Council, the 27 also recognized the uniqueness of Spain and Portugal in terms of energy, which will allow both countries to implement temporary and exceptional measures to reduce electricity prices for consumers and companies.
The two heads of government also addressed the importance of unity between European countries in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The Iberian articulation strengthens bilateral relations and our common role in the strategic redefinition of Europe”, said António Costa via Twitter.
Congratulations to Portugal and Spain. It would be a win win arrangement. Resources have no value if they cannot reach the consumer and cudos to the Iberians for offering some positive solutions.
The USA was a net exporter of energy two years ago for the first time in decades. They are now in the same predicament as the EU regarding energy sufficiency. In the case of the US, they muzzled pipelines from Canada and restricted their own domestic energy supplies.
Supplies from Spain and Portugal would be a positive step toward weakening regional conflict if NATO /EU countries were energy self-sufficient. Wealth would remain within their more homogenous peoples who are more stable politically, rather than subsidizing other world powers who continually pursue repugnant human rights practices.
By Warren from Other on 28 May 2022, 23:09
@Warren, an interconnection from Spain and Portugal wouldn't help the EU to be energy self-sufficient. It would simply help Central Europe off its dependency on Russian gas. Spain and Portugal's supplies of natural gas come from Africa.
By Christiaan from Porto on 29 May 2022, 11:19
Too many politicians have been happily accepting Russian money and have led the EU into a place of insanity as a result.
There must be immediate investigations against all politicians that have left the EU at the mercy of Russian energy.
Name them and shame them.
Stating to take action now is an insult to all of us.
By James from Algarve on 02 Jun 2022, 06:29
Interestingly the export of LNG from the USA shot up to record levels. There is evidence of political figures in the US stating the desire to get the EU dependent upon the US for its energy needs and everyone believes Russia blew up its own pipeline. Laughable
By Nicky G from Lisbon on 13 May 2023, 10:17