MNI BRIEF: Spain, France Call For EU Action On Energy Prices

Spanish Economic Affairs Minister Nadia Calvino reiterated her call for an EU Strategic Reserve and for EU energy buyers to coordinate and "speak with one voice" in negotiations with international gas suppliers.

Calling for "urgent and effective action" on energy prices, the Spanish minister also said she would push for measures to limit speculation within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Along with France, Spain has taken an activist approach to the surge in energy prices, but EU Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis called for states to take a "temporary and targeted" approach when it came to implementing support measures for those hit by the rise in prices.

French Economic Affairs Minister Bruno Le Maire said the alignment between gas and electricity prices had to end and called, in favour of basing consumer tariffs on the actual cost of electricity production. He called for long-term contracts and regulated tariffs in EU countries.