At the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), MEPs meeting in Strasbourg approved triggering the urgency procedure (Rule 163 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure) for the proposal for a regulation on gas storage on Tuesday 5 April, in a vote by show of hands.
On Thursday, MEPs will vote on the proposed regulation itself as well as on possible amendments (the deadline for the tabling of amendments is Tuesday evening).
The matter will then be referred to the ITRE Committee, allowing it to start negotiations directly with the EU Council and the European Commission (‘trilogues’), without first having to adopt a report.
According to our information, the co-legislators have agreed not to substantially modify the text tabled by the Commission, in order to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
The EU considers this issue to be a priority, as the proposed regulation aims to ensure sufficient gas supplies for the coming winter in the event of cuts or stoppages in Russian supplies (see EUROPE 12917/7, 12923/14).
On the EU Council side, the Member States’ ambassadors to the European Union (Coreper) reportedly expressed broad support for the proposal on Friday 1 April, while stressing the need to clarify certain points (see EUROPE 12924/7). (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)