Econ min Habeck stresses “solidarity in the energy crisis” ahead of visit to Czech Republic and Austria

Germany’s economy and climate minister Robert Habeck is visiting Prague and Vienna to hold talks on intensified bilateral and European cooperation in securing gas supplies. Habeck (Green Party) is meeting the Czech minister of industry and trade, Jozef Síkela, today (11 July) and will travel to Austria tomorrow. "European solidarity is more important than ever in the current energy crisis. This also includes closer coordination between direct neighbours,” Habeck said in a ministry press release. Further topics of the talks will be energy policy, the economic and social consequences of the Russian war of aggression, as well as climate, industrial and trade policy. Habeck named a quick energy transition, energy savings and the ramp-up of green hydrogen as the right way to strengthen energy security. In Austria, Habeck will meet president Alexander Van der Bellen and several other government representatives, including climate minister Leonore Gewessler.

With gas deliveries from Russia becoming more and more insecure, European countries are starting to plan ahead for the autumn and winter months when a shortage could lead to difficult distribution issues between countries. Germany has entered into gas delivery support promises with some neighbouring countries Austria and Denmark. However, EU politicians have called for binding EU-wide solidarity rules to share available gas in a fair way once a supply shortage happens. Calculations by the German grid agency for several gas supply scenarios showed that domestic reduction of gas consumption is crucial to ensure supply security in Germany and the necessary supply in neighbouring countries.