Brussels, 14/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Tuesday by the European Parliament's Socialist Group, Austrian MEP Hannes Swoboda condemned the European Commission's failure to get a grip on the growing energy crisis and the recent hike in oil prices. The Socialists called on Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to urgently produce a 'forward-looking, comprehensive political strategy in response to this grave situation.' Swoboda said 'The Commission is asleep at its post. It is unacceptable that it has still not managed to take this crisis in hand. The Commission should be acting to ensure that some of the oil companies' windfall profits are invested in energy-saving measures and in alternative energies. What the European Union spends on research and development is only a fraction of what the oil companies could do. The appalling reality is that across Europe our people face increased fuel and hearing bills - while the oil companies rake in extra profits to boost dividends for wealthy shareholders. It is also unacceptable that the US is unwilling to take measures to reduce its own oil consumption. The Commission and the Member States must put pressure on the Americans to behave more responsibly.'