Skopje, 9 September 2022 (MIA) – To deal with the shared energy crisis we need to come up with EU mechanisms which would also include Western Balkan countries, said Italian President Sergio Mattarella at a joint press conference with President Stevo Pendarovski on Friday. According to Mattarella, the crisis affects the everyday lives of families and businesses and compromises their way of functioning. Four months ago, he said, Italy suggested that the EU should cap gas prices but, he added, only now have certain countries realized that this is necessary. “If this was accepted four months ago, when we suggested it, some other consequences would have been avoided right now. We must move forward. We need to face some urgent questions in the EU. We should protect the families and the companies from speculation, both political and financial. We need to come up with EU mechanisms which would include Western Balkan countries in this common future, and come up with solutions to the common crisis concerning hydrogen and gas. However, these solutions should lead to other solutions as well, such as minimizing the consequences of the rising prices. Europe must quickly seek alternatives to Russian gas. It should work on securing alternative sources of energy and seek independent solutions. Italy should soon end its dependence on Russian gas,” said Mattarella in answer to a journalist’s question, underscoring that the European Commission's mechanisms should include the Western Balkan countries. President Pendarovski recalled that he spoke with the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová on Wednesday and asked for support in dealing with the energy crisis, at the same time he expressed hope that this will additionally help the country in view of the outdated facilities at its disposal. “We have already suggested, even though we are not an EU member, for the Union to aid all six Western Balkan countries, like it did with the Covid vaccines. We have received Slovakia’s support in this, and President Mattarella said they will commit to this approach. Even the biggest countries cannot deal with the crisis alone. Italy is a part of the seven most powerful global economies and is still seeking wider mechanisms which would aid it. The equipment is old, the resources are limited, the experts we have consulted have all confirmed this. The Prime Minister underscored that the outdated equipment will be a limiting factor when he was announcing the measures. I hope that the EU’s aid can be and has to be one of the backup plans,” said Pendarovski. ad/ba/