Støre will meet Macron and the EU president in Paris. There he wants important things for Norway.
At home, it’s easy for Jonas Gahr Støre. In Europe, the heads of state are queuing up to talk to the Norwegian prime minister.
In the next few days, the summits are lined up in European politics. A lot of important things have to be decided. On that occasion, Støre is ours for a working dinner by President Macron. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will also be at the meeting.
– It has started on an important week in Europe, says Støre to Aftenposten about the meeting.
Two main topics are on the program this week: How Europe will deal with the gas and electricity price crisis, as well as continued support for Ukraine.
Europe is still struggling to deal with the loss of Russian gas. Støre calls it a “demanding political situation”.
At the meeting with Macron and von der Leyen, he will talk about things.
Firstly, that Norway must continue to be a stable and reliable supplier of gas to Europe. Secondly, he will point to the Norwegian contributions when Europe has to solve the energy crisis in a renewable way.
– We are on the threshold of a large development of offshore wind. We have important expertise for the capture and storage of CO₂, which will be important for how Europe will use hydrogen, says Støre.
Norway also wants prices down
Gas in the short term and renewable energy in the long term are important reasons why Støre is high on the guest list of European top managers right now.
Ten days ago it was the subject of a dinner with the German Chancellor, Olof Scholz in Berlin.
– Now the presidents of France and the EU are contacting me to talk about the same thing. The meetings are an expression that Norway is very important for Europe’s energy supply. We attach great importance to managing it with predictability and credibility, says Støre.
In the Elysée Palace on Monday, he will say again that Norway is not interested in the high prices of gas we are seeing now. This despite the fact that Norway’s wealth is growing at such a rapid rate that some call us war profiteers.
Støre has three reasons for this.
Firstly, it leads to high electricity prices in large parts of Norway.
– It is challenging for families and businesses, he says.
Secondly, Norwegian business has problems when European business has problems.
– They are our most important trading partners, says Støre.
Thirdly, Støre fears that high prices over time could lead to social unrest among Norway’s allies.
– Russia obviously wants to divide European countries by using the energy card. It is in our interest to contribute to that not happening, he says.
Therefore, he wants to see what role Norway plays and the knowledge Norwegian authorities and companies have.
Moving towards a price cap on gas in the EU
In the coming week, the EU countries will try to be the only ones on mechanisms that can come into force if the gas price goes completely out of control.
It is probably moving towards a price ceiling, but there is still great disagreement between different countries on what level the price ceiling should be.
The online newspaper Energy and climate writes that the European Commission is clear that price caps should only be a crisis measure. It should only apply when prices are extremely high.
Norway has warned against introducing a price ceiling. Støre believes it could lead to increased demand for a resource that is limited.
– It can create a very serious situation. As far as we can see, the proposals that are now on the table are not very far-reaching. But so far nothing has been decided, says Støre.
On Tuesday, the energy ministers of the EU countries will try to become the only ones. Perhaps the matter will be decided when the heads of government in the EU meet on Thursday and Friday.
Important for Norway in the long term
Støre says Norway has increased the export of gas by 8 percent so far this year. It is important in the short term. But European leaders would also like to talk about what could become very important industries for Norway in the future. For Norway, it is about offshore wind and hydrogen with capture and storage of CO₂.
– We have to solve some immediate problems, but the long-term answer is that Europe must have enough energy to cover its needs. With the disappearance of Russian gas and when the production of nuclear power and coal is reduced, more energy must enter the market, says Støre.
He knows that it cannot be resolved within a year or two, but:
– We must do everything we can to shorten the time.
– In Germany, there is great interest in hydrogen, especially if you also capture and store CO₂. Norway can do all this. We must confirm that we stand up now, but also that we have a role in the future. It is important to me that countries like Germany, France and Great Britain know that.
Must ensure long-term aid to Ukraine
It is not just gas and energy that is on the program this week. On Tuesday, Støre will attend a support conference for Ukraine that Macron is organizing in Paris.
There, Støre will express that Norway is among the countries that give the most per resident of Ukraine.
– We have also started work with the other parties in the Storting on a clear, multi-year contribution to the reconstruction, he says.
He refers to examples. Norway recently gave NOK 1 billion to repair critical infrastructure. It is especially important in a cold winter where Russia has purposefully gone after the power supply.
– Earlier this autumn, Norway gave 2 billion so that Ukraine can buy and store gas for the winter. It was a Norwegian initiative that was followed up by countries such as France and Germany, says Støre.