In light of increasing fears of the effects of escalation in the Middle East on European energy markets, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to calm the situation in France, stressing that his country does not currently face any real danger of a shortage in energy supplies, despite the growing regional tensions and concerns related to shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron’s statement came in response to warnings issued by the Director General of Total Energies, Patrick Pouyanné, and published by the Parisien newspaper, in which he stated that France may face an energy shortage within a period ranging between two and three months, if regional tension continues as it is.
During a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Macron confirmed that the situation in the energy sector is “under control,” and stated: “In the current circumstances, we do not expect any shortages at all.”
The French President also added that the worst scenario that Pouyanné spoke about is not currently possible, considering that talk about the possibility of a shortage in supplies falls within the framework of “political speculation,” and not within the actual data confirming the existence of an imminent crisis.
Macron explained that energy-related crises do not always result from a direct disruption in supplies, but may sometimes occur due to panic and hasty decisions, especially when geopolitical concerns overshadow realistic economic calculations.
Macron’s statements gain special importance in light of the sensitivity of European markets to any disturbance in the movement of oil and gas, especially after recent years that witnessed a rise in energy prices and major changes in sources of supply, which made European governments more cautious in dealing with any tension affecting vital sea lanes.
In this context, the French President revealed that Paris’s priority in the next stage is to work to resume maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, as it is one of the most important strategic corridors in the world for the flow of energy.
Macron said that French efforts are focused on achieving a full resumption of navigation in the Strait in the coming days and weeks, in accordance with international law and the principles of freedom of navigation, and without any customs duties or additional restrictions on the movement of ships.
Paris considers the Strait of Hormuz a major test point for the international community’s ability to contain the repercussions of escalation in the Middle East, as any long-term closure or restriction of navigation traffic in it could quickly affect energy prices, the security of supplies, and the economies of importing countries.
During the recent period, France intensified its diplomatic movements to urge the parties to the conflict to return to dialogue, in an attempt to reduce tension and avoid the crisis turning into a broader confrontation that directly affects the global economy.
Macron’s position reflects a clear French desire to prevent the transfer of anxiety from markets to citizens, especially since the energy file remains one of the most sensitive files inside Europe, where prices, costs of living, and industrial stability are linked to any change in the course of global supplies.
