European Union leaders gathered in Brussels have urged more coordinated action to take on rising fuel prices.

Leaders called on the European Commission to put forward as needed further measures to address soaring energy prices in the short term, a joint statement adopted on Thursday said.

The statement underlined the critical importance of tackling high energy prices without providing any details on the upcoming steps.

Diesel prices have doubled in Europe since the start of the Iran war in late February and gas prices have risen by 140 per cent, according to EU figures.

Leaders stressed that the current situation urgently required a coordinated European response of targeted and temporary measures which take the specific circumstances in the bloc’s 27 member countries into consideration.

Leaders welcomed steps already taken by the commission, such as the delay of new rules aimed at limiting methane emissions and initiatives to pool energy demand to reduce prices.

In addition, the transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources is the most effective way to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy.

This will increase its resilience and reduce energy prices in the long term, the statement said.

(dpa/NAN)