EU Member States reached a political agreement on the 26th to take voluntary measures to reduce natural gas demand by 15% this winter to improve the security of EU energy supply. According to this agreement, EU Member States agreed to reduce natural gas demand by 15% on the basis of the average consumption in the past five years from August 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, according to the measures they choose. If there is a shortage of natural gas supply at that time, the EU will take compulsory measures to reduce natural gas demand. The European Council said that the reduction in natural gas demand was to save costs before winter and prepare for the possible interruption of Russian natural gas supply. At the same time, in view of the special circumstances of different Member States, in order to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the agreement, the European Council granted exemptions to some member states. Among them, member states that are not interconnected with the natural gas networks of other member states are not subject to the restriction of mandatory reduction of natural gas demand; Member states whose power grids are out of sync with the European power system and rely heavily on natural gas for power generation can also be exempted to avoid a power supply crisis. According to the overall situation of EU natural gas supply, the European Commission will review it before May 2023 to consider whether the agreement will be extended. In a statement issued by the European Council on the same day, the Czech Minister of industry and trade, the rotating presidency of the European Union, josephshikula, said that the rapid adoption of the proposal undoubtedly strengthened common energy security and would make life easier and easier for EU citizens and enterprises this winter. At the press conference on the same day, EU Commissioner for energy affairs kadley simsson said that taking the initiative to reduce natural gas demand can avoid making a hasty or unilateral decision when it is too late. This will help to save in the most effective way and minimize the impact on people and enterprises. Taking action now will have a much smaller impact on the economy. Since June this year, Russia has sharply reduced its natural gas supply to Europe, resulting in the intensification of Europe's "gas shortage" and the soaring price of natural gas. (Xinhua News Agency)