Orbán sees in the centralized purchase of gas requested by Brussels a "slow and expensive" idea

MADRID, 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, criticized on Wednesday the European Commission's proposal to establish a joint mechanism with which to buy gas, since he considers that it will be "slow and expensive".

"Brussels' latest plan on joint gas procurement reminds me of when we bought vaccines together," Orbán said on Twitter, in a message alluding to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Hungary already left the official line and bought vaccines from China and Russia on its own.

The Hungarian president expects an "intense debate" on the matter in the Council that starts this Thursday in Brussels, where once again the war in Ukraine and its consequences will play a prominent role in the discussions of the Heads of State and Government of the Twenty-seven.

The platform for joint purchases was already agreed in March but has not yet been launched and the European Commission presented on Tuesday the concrete proposals necessary for this instrument to be operational, including a binding objective to force countries to acquire in a coordinated manner. at least 15% of its national reserves.

The president of the Community Executive, Ursula Von der Leyen, acknowledged that this measure raised a lot of "skepticism" when it was raised for the first time last March, but has defended that the discussions at Twenty-seven in recent months have allowed reaching a " understanding" and has more support.

This week's European Council will be followed by a meeting of EU energy ministers on Tuesday in Luxembourg, although it is assumed that this will not be the final meeting and the deal will require a second call of ministers in early November.