27/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The issue of the current sharp rise in gas prices will be discussed “next week in Slovenia” by the EU27 Member State leaders on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, on Monday 27 September, while on a trip to Bucharest (see other news). She gave several explanations for this “global phenomenon”: - the explosion of demand in Asia in a context of economic recovery after the lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 outbreak; - the delay in increasing production by EU suppliers. She said she hoped that Russia would follow the example of Norway, which is going to increase its supplies. There is scope for action at EU level, especially to ease the pressure on SMEs, she said. (MB)