EU transport commissioner warns of urgent measures amid rising fuel prices

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas has issued a warning regarding the current energy crisis during a meeting of the EU Council of Ministers in Dublin on September 22, 2026. He described the situation as unprecedented and highly volatile, citing significant fluctuations in the prices of crude oil, diesel, and aviation fuel driven by geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Commissioner Tzitzikostas stated that if market conditions worsen further, he will request that the Irish presidency of the EU Council convene an extraordinary ministerial session to implement urgent measures. These actions would aim to protect European interests in both the short and long term. The strategy includes reducing energy dependency on imported fossil fuels, diversifying supply through reliable international partners, and increasing investments in sustainable transportation infrastructure, such as railways and innovation.

While the European Commission noted in early September that European demand is currently being met by increased domestic production, the instability in global markets remains a primary concern for Brussels. No specific oil price trigger has been established for intervention, as officials will instead monitor a combination of market factors to determine when a formal emergency meeting is required.