France opposes a single norm for all EU countries to save gas consumption in connection with the proposal of the European Commission to reduce demand for this energy resource by 15% in the period from August 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, Report informs, referring to Interfax.
"We do not want to introduce the same restriction targets that will not be adapted to the reality of each state and that, in the end, will not affect our ability to export gas to our neighbors," a source close to Agnès Pannier Runache., France's Energy Transition Minister, told BFMTV.
She said Paris is seeking an agreement "that establishes the principle of a coordinated reduction in gas consumption, but at the same time takes into account the specific situations of each member state and, in particular, our ability to export gas."
France believes that the country is sufficiently provided with gas, since, unlike Germany, it does not depend much on Russian supplies. And if the republic voluntarily reduces its consumption by 15%, then volumes of gas, which it could, if necessary, export to its neighbors, will be released.
The possibility of such exports depends on the parameters of the existing connecting gas pipelines, and the French government believes that it will not be able to physically export 15% of its gas to Germany, the ministry explained to BFMTV.
At the same time, Paris insists on the importance of solidarity in gas supply, especially in relation to Germany, which is dependent on Russian gas. However, the possibilities of gas pipelines connecting France and Germany are "physically and technically limited," the source said.
"We will obviously do our best to help our European partners," but "it is useless to make additional efforts that will not affect our ability to help our neighbors in any way," an unnamed source told BFMTV.