EU states agree 180-euro gas price cap to contain energy crisis

BRUSSELS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) member states have agreed to cap natural gas prices in the bloc at 180 euros (191 U.S. dollars) per megawatt-hour (MWh) in an effort to ensure the security of energy supply, EU officials said here on Monday.

"We have managed to reach a very important agreement on the price ceiling for gas. Europe will thus have a package of measures to help it prepare for next winter and protect citizens and businesses from extreme price fluctuations," said Jozef Sikela, the Czech Republic's minister in charge of industry and trade who chairs the meetings of EU energy ministers.