Officials from the French Energy ministry said their country is against a single target of a 15% reduction in gas consumption in Europe, Reuters reports on Monday.

Before the meeting on Tuesday, in Brussels, of the energy ministers of the European Union, the representatives of Paris argued that the targets for each country must take into account the export capacity.

Last Wednesday, the European Commission proposed a 15% reduction in consumption in each EU member state, from August this year to March 2023, according to Agerpres. The target would initially be assumed voluntarily, but could become mandatory if the Commission declares an emergency.

The proposal was criticized from the start by several countries, especially Greece, Portugal and Spain. According to the diplomats, other member states of the Union – Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands and Poland – have reservations about the idea of ​​granting the Commission the authority to order reductions.