MEPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group have reiterated their call for a swift phase-out of Russian gas imports.
They have also criticised what they describe as the European Union’s
“continued reliance on Russian energy as a serious security risk.”
Speaking during a debate in the European Parliament this week, Adam Bielan, ECR Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted the
“dangers of ongoing energy dependence.”
Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg, he stated,
“For too long, the EU’s dependence on Russian gas and other fossil fuels has been a tool of political blackmail, financing a regime that wages war on its neighbours and destabilises our continent.”
The ECR Group asserts that it “had long warned” against excessive reliance on Russian energy supplies and opposed projects like the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline well before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Regarding the flaws in current sanctions, Bielan criticised gaps in enforcement.
The MEP added,
“The European Parliament has repeatedly called for stronger measures – full sanctions on Russian LNG, a ban on transhipment through EU ports and a legal framework to prevent companies from circumventing restrictions through intermediaries. These loopholes need to be closed.”
He also condemned the delays in the EU’s plan to end Russian gas imports by 2027, advocating for a forward-looking strategy that includes both diversification and innovation in the energy sector:
“We must ensure that new investments do not replace one dependency with another. Diversification means securing reliable partners, such as Norway or the US, while accelerating the development of nuclear energy and hydrogen.”
Emphasising the need for a balanced and fair transition, Bielan highlighted the importance of supporting the Member States most affected.
“At the same time, we need to support the Member States most affected by this transition. Energy security cannot be achieved at the cost of economic hardship for our citizens. We need targeted financial mechanisms to help industry and households adapt.”
Bielan also called for a pragmatic approach that safeguards Europe’s industrial base:
“Let us not sacrifice our industries on the altar of green ideology.”
The ECR Group maintains that it continues to advocate for a “realistic, security-oriented EU energy policy that protects citizens and industry while ending dependence on hostile regimes.”
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