Two choices for energy

“Improved coordination among EU Member States” and “implementing clear priorities in external energy policy” are the proposals of the EU Commission, which on September 7 adopted a “Communication” on security of energy supply and international cooperation”, “setting out for the first time a comprehensive strategy for the EU’s external relations in energy”. United inside and outside the EU. “Improved coordination among EU Member States in identifying and implementing clear priorities in external energy policy is central to the approach outlined by the Commission”, said Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger. The German Commissioner thus underlined the importance for EU27 to “speak with one voice” on world markets as regards partnerships on oil, gas, nuclear or renewable energy. “In today’s ever-changing global energy markets achieving EU energy security calls for adequate coordination at home and a strong and assertive position abroad”, underlines the Commission’s proposal, due to be endorsed by European Parliament and Council. For Oettinger, “The EU energy policy has made real progress over the last several years. Now, the EU must extend the achievements of its large internal energy market beyond its borders to ensure the security of energy supplies to Europe and foster international energy partnerships”. The Commission proposed a Decision setting up an information exchange mechanism for intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy between Member States and third countries”. The proposed mechanism “will extend and complement the notification procedure already applicable to gas agreements to all forms of energy. And it will provide for an instrument to exchange information at EU level before and after negotiations with third countries”.43 concrete actions. The importance of this issue is evident since, as the Commission states, “the share of imported energy in the EU – currently 80% for oil and over 60% for gas – continues to rise”. In recent years the EU has experienced various crises linked to shortage of supply, price increase and problems in energy partnerships (including infrastructure, costs and stocks) with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, other countries of Eastern Europe, the Near East, and North Africa. This subject gained renewed topical relevance as a result of ongoing political changes in Libya. In fact, EU institutions have addressed energy questions on several occasions, identifying common goals liked to energy saving, the enhancement of alternative energy sources (sun, water, wind…) along with the creation of gas and derivatives of oil pipelines. Also the debates and stands of various countries on nuclear energy should be remembered. The Commission’s communication is accompanied by 43 “concrete actions” that should be undertaken to step up the EU position, such as national decisions and agreements with third countries in the field of energy; joint development of energy infrastructures; joint projects and business agreements on clean energy technologies. The EU should intensify “its efforts in the multilateral frameworks, including within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to ensure that the highest nuclear safety standards are made legally binding worldwide”. Coordinated intervention. The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek welcomed the strategy set down in the Commission Communication (the blueprint is timetabled for discussion in the EP Plenary in Strasburg on September 14). The Polish politician said the proposal is “timely” and “good”, pushing forward a European Energy Community, which Buzek has been discussing for a long time. “Energy cooperation will serve us and the generations to come”, the president underlined. “I have always argued that the European Union must present a single interface in its relations with its external partners”, both the energy producer and transit countries”. In addition, the EU must have the ability to “pool its supply capacities” and to engage in coordinated energy purchasing, should the need arise. Buzek said he appreciates in particular “the idea of establishing a mechanism for increased transparency and information exchange on Member States’ bilateral energy agreements with third countries” and looks forward to “negotiating EU-level agreements with third countries” to facilitate “large-scale infrastructure projects”, like oil and gas pipelines. The president equally urges to step up cooperation on renewable energy and improve access to sustainable energy for developing countries.