'We Can’t Be Complacent' — U.S, EU Pledge To Confront Attempts To Destabilize Energy Markets Amid War

Washington D.C./04.04.23/Turan:   The Biden Administration on Tuesday praised "remarkable achievements" of Europe in overcoming its energy dependence this winter, and urged to continue "all our efforts for next winter," TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"We can’t be complacent..." U.S. deputy Energy secretary David Turk told a briefing at the State Department's Brussels Media Hub in response to TURAN's questions.

"We have not only this winter but next winter as well that we’ve got to keep our eye on the ball and work in partnership, but very encouraged to see what happened this past winter.  And again, we just can’t get complacent on that side of things," Turk said.

His comments came as the U.S. and the EU pledged on Tuesday to “directly confront” any attempts to weaponize energy and destabilize global energy markets as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

“The two sides reiterated their strong commitment to directly confront, with adequate measures, all efforts to further destabilize the global energy situation and to circumvent sanctions,” they said in a joint statement.

The U.S.-EU Energy Council met in Brussels to discuss ways to bolster energy security in Ukraine and Moldova, among other challenging topics.

“Following the successful synchronization of Ukraine and Moldova with the EU electricity grid, the Council intends to continue to support Ukraine's rapid recovery and reconstruction, and support both Ukraine and Moldova by assisting with their long-term economic and clean energy transition,” reads the statement.

The U.S. and the EU also vowed to continue coordinating bilateral and multilateral responses to keep the global energy markets stable.

Alex Raufoglu