Debate: Gas storage
Date: THURSDAY, 23 JUNE 2022
Speaker: Cristian-Silviu Buşoi
Country: Poland
Language: EN

I’m very glad to be here today in front of you on behalf of the ITRE Committee to tell you that indeed we have. On 7 April, this Chamber entrusted the ITRE Committee to negotiate this crucial piece of legislation, and on 19 May we reached a political agreement between co-legislators after long hours of negotiations in what was a second trilogue.  The legislation, if adopted, will enter into force in July. It gives Member States the possibility to take numerous measures to achieve their target, but also wants to ensure that non-market—based measures are only used when the market cannot do it alone. It will ensure that our gas storages are filled at a minimum 80% capacity by November this year, aiming for 85% and, from next year, a minimum 90%.  Above all, this agreement shows the will of the EU institutions and Member States to act together in solidarity to strengthen the EU’s resilience and preparedness against external threats and in protection of European citizens. In addition, understanding the gravity of the situation generated by the Russian war against Ukraine, we have introduced a certification procedure by which every storage operator will have to demonstrate they are not a danger to our security of supply or our national security if they wish to retain ownership of the storage. We will not allow those wanting to influence and threaten our way of life to access our critical infrastructure.  We also introduced a voluntary mechanism for joint procurement of gas, and I congratulate the European Commission for moving very fast to nominate the Deputy Director-General and to set up this platform and the regional platforms, because we need that in order to offset possible price increases derived from the storage—filling obligations. The House made it clear that the measures to fulfil our filling targets will be taken with a clear idea that we have to protect our security of supply and diversify our sources. Sadly, the war is still going on and the political games played by Russia with our gas supplies only have confirmed that our actions are justified and that sooner rather than later we have to cut ourselves off our toxic dependency on Russian fuels, fossil fuels.  Our work will continue in that direction and through the December gas and hydrogen package, the REPowerEU plan and the speedy implementation of the Fit for 55 measures we will, I am sure, deliver once again.  Allow me to finish by quickly underlining the outstanding job done by the Parliament’s negotiating team, led by former President Buzek and composed of Patricia Toia, Kleman Grošelj, Marie Toussaint, Paolo Borchia, Professor Krasnodębski and Sandra Pereira. They have worked under a lot of pressure, but in a consensual manner, representing their groups faithfully and constructively.  Therefore, Mr President, Executive Vice—President of the European Commission, dear colleagues, I conclude my statement today by congratulating my colleagues and showing them my full gratitude and appreciation, thanking the European Commission for the initiative and the very good cooperation during the negotiations, and also thanking the Member States, the European Council and the Council of the European Union for the very constructive attitude.