Spain hosts EU-Med summit to discuss energy crisis

MADRID (AP) — Leaders and representatives of nine Mediterranean and Southern European countries are preparing to meet in Spain, with the energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine likely to top the agenda. The EU-Med9 meeting in the port city of Alicante on Friday brings together leaders or representatives of Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia and Croatia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel will also attend. Along with an EU-proposed price cap on natural gas, the group plans to discuss strengthening relations with countries across the Mediterranean Sea. Meetings of the EU-Med group are intended to develop a consensus among the participating nations on major European Union issues.