VON DER LEYEN said the EU will launch a strategic dialogue with European
refineries and strengthen joint energy procurement to tackle rising energy costs
and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Since late February European gas
is up about 140% and diesel has doubled, adding roughly €100bn to fossil-fuel
import bills; with winter approaching pressure on firms and households could
intensify. The refinery dialogue is intended to lower costs and secure supplies,
including for defence needs; the EU will also set up a working group to
aggregate member-state energy demand and upgrade joint purchasing mechanisms.
