The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council held a public debate yesterday on the Commission communication on energy prices and costs in Europe. The Council was chaired by Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yannis Maniatis, and focused on three areas: how to more closely align wholesale and retail prices; the high variation across member states in the different elements that make up prices; and actions proposed by the Commission to reduce energy costs.

Ministers emphasized the need to complete the internal energy market by 2014 and stressed that households and industry still need to become more energy-efficient with regard to their energy consumption.

The Council also held a public policy debate on the Commission communication on a policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030. In that regard, the ministers highlighted that future climate and energy policies should aim at balancing different objectives, including sustainability and a low-carbon economy, with affordable energy prices, safe and secure energy systems and European competitiveness.

The presidency will report on the outcome of the ministerial discussion to the President of the European Council with a view to the European Council meeting of March 20-21, 2014.

See also: TTE (Energy ) Council Round up (video) & TTE Council Press Release (March 4th)