Rising oil and gas prices, fuelled by tensions in the Middle East with Iran, are confronting European energy ministers with the same question: how to reduce dependence on international markets that are beyond the control of governments? Meeting in Brussels on 16 March, they sought to provide an immediate response while speeding up the transition of Europe’s energy system.

In a statement issued the same day, the Minister for the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles (DP), declared: “Like the other Member States, we are following developments on the energy markets very closely.” He added: “The crisis in the Middle East makes us more aware than ever of the vulnerability of our economies to imports of fossil fuels, the prices of which are beyond the control of the Member States and the European Union.”

European networks: three areas of work

The discussions focused on the “Networks Package”, presented by the European Commission in December 2025. According to the Council, the ministers focused their discussions on three areas: infrastructure planning based on a common scenario, financing and cost-sharing, and speeding up authorisation procedures, while respecting environmental constraints.

“A more connected Europe is a more autonomous and resilient Europe, where energy security does not stop at national borders,” said the Cypriot Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry, Michael Damianos, who chaired the meeting. “An integrated and interconnected network is essential,” he added.

Energy prices: immediate pressure

Rising energy prices took centre stage in the discussions, against a backdrop of tensions in the Gulf. The ministers presented national measures and examined ways of responding to price volatility in the short term.

According to the Council, they discussed targeted interventions for the sectors and regions affected, while maintaining existing mechanisms linked to the electricity market and the emissions trading scheme.

European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said: "The escalation in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices is putting additional pressure on our households and businesses." He said the Union was working to "reduce citizens’ energy bills".

Russia and the Druzhba pipeline: Between urgency and gradual exit

The issue of imports from Russia was discussed, particularly around the Druzhba pipeline, which transported Russian oil to several Central European countries via Belarus and Ukraine.

Russian strikes at the end of January led to a partial interruption in deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia. Faced with this situation, the European Union offered technical and financial assistance to Ukraine to enable repairs to the infrastructure and the resumption of transit.

In a joint statement sent on 16 March to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, stated that their priority remains "to ensure energy security for all European citizens", while working on alternative routes to bring non-Russian oil to Central and Eastern Europe. They say that the European Union is ready to provide technical support for the repair of the pipeline, which "could be financed by European funds", while working on alternative routes to bring non-Russian oil to Central and Eastern Europe.

Today, 17 March, in a letter to the two European officials, Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the pipeline disruptions were the result of Russian attacks and assured that Ukraine is continuing repairs to restore transit.

At the press conference on 16 March, the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, pointed out that "there are alternative sources" and that "neighbouring countries have played a role in guaranteeing this supply". He also pointed out that there was no immediate problem of security of supply.

We do not want to buy energy from Russia in the future.

Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

At the same time, the Commission is preparing a proposal to ban Russian oil imports. Dan Jørgensen said: "We do not want to buy energy from Russia in the future."

These positions reflect differences between Member States. Some countries are talking about a resumption of flows to secure their supply in the short term, while others are defending a gradual reduction in dependence on Russian imports.

In his 16 March press release, Lex Delles included Luxembourg in this orientation and declared: "We must therefore continue the trajectory of a gradual reduction in the role of oil and natural gas in our energy system."

Investments: a quantified need

The discussions also focused on the investments needed in Europe’s energy system. Michael Damianos pointed out that the transition would require around €660 billion per year, while current investments represent around half of this amount.

The ministers mentioned investments in energy production, energy efficiency and decarbonisation, as well as in infrastructure, particularly networks.

According to the Presidency, public funding is not sufficient to cover these needs, which led the ministers to talk about mobilising private capital and creating favourable conditions for investment.

Dan Jørgensen stressed that these investments are part of an objective to reduce energy dependency and strengthen Europe’s autonomy.