Media: Germany and France back creation of single gas purchase platform

Germany and France have supported the initiative to create a single European gas procurement platform.

Handelsblatt newspaper disseminated the information referring to a joint document outlining the position of the countries for the Council of Energy Ministers of the European Union (EU) in Brussels.

"We must join all efforts to lower prices for Europe. We call for strengthening the EU energy platform as a means to increase the EU's negotiating strength," the paper said.

According to the publication, the idea of a single European platform has been nurtured in the region for several months. According to the European Commission, the creation of such a platform would help contain fuel prices. In addition, gas purchases in different countries are either in the hands of private or state-owned companies. Because of this, EU countries compete with each other. The establishment of the platform would also counteract this competition.

The paper stated that Germany and France are also in favour of financial support for the most affected companies, in particular energy-intensive companies.