Meloni Calls on the EU to Take Long-Term Measures to Address High Energy Prices

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on the European Union (EU) to develop structural, long-term measures to address high energy prices. She stressed the importance of accelerating energy investments, reducing bureaucratic barriers and safeguarding the competitiveness of European industry.

According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, Meloni made the remarks on Monday while addressing a meeting of the Assolombarda business association in Milan. The prime minister expressed concern that Europe risked relying solely on emergency measures to tackle energy crises and announced that she would raise the issue at Thursday’s European Council meeting.

Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever have jointly addressed European Council President António Costa. In their letter, the leaders linked lower energy costs and simpler regulatory procedures to strengthening industrial competitiveness.

They called for faster investment procedures in priority sectors, including energy and digitalisation, restrictions on new bureaucratic requirements, and reduced corporate sustainability reporting obligations, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Italian government has also criticised the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). According to Meloni, the system increases energy costs, creates disparities between member states and negatively affects businesses.

Italy’s Deputy Environment Minister Vannia Gava has also called for the suspension of the EU ETS 2 system to be considered. The system is designed to price carbon emissions generated by fossil fuels used in road transport, building heating and small industrial sectors. Under the current plan, its implementation is scheduled for 2028.

However, EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has stated that the European Commission currently has no plans to change the implementation timetable.

Meanwhile, EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said during a visit to Rome that the Commission was working closely with member states to address rising living costs and the challenges posed by the energy crisis. He emphasised the importance of balancing financial sustainability with providing governments with greater flexibility.

The debate over energy prices in Europe has once again highlighted the challenge of balancing industrial competitiveness, lower business costs and the implementation of climate policies.