EU Prepares for Contentious Energy Talks

EU Prepares for Contentious Energy Talks

Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union

With Germany setting aside billions of euros for gas purchases, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s efforts could soon bear fruit. He will likely sign contracts for liquified natural gas with the United Arab Emirates during a two-day trip to the Middle East, where he will also travel to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Scholz’s visit comes as European affairs ministers gather today in Brussels, where the topic of energy could come up alongside discussions on the rule of law and the next summit of EU leaders. Officials say that energy ministers need to make a lot of progress at an emergency meeting next week including on complex and contentious issues like price caps, so that EU leaders can take decisions when they meet next month. While the bloc proceeds with caution, Europe’s biggest truckers are taking matters into their own hands by stockpiling gas and shifting to alternative fuels.

— Jillian Deutsch

General Assembly | Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel will be at the UN General Assembly today, where the war in Ukraine will feature prominently. But the UN’s failure to