| Commission presents strategy for external energy policy |
 |
 |
|
In light of the recently adopted Energy 2020 strategy, the European Commission (EC) last week adopted a Communication on EU energy relations with third countries. In its proposal, the EC calls for an improved coordination among EU member states in identifying and implementing external energy goals and stresses the need to further support renewable energy targets, especially in developing countries. According to EC figures, the share of imported energy to the EU (currently 80% for oil and over 60% for gas) continues to increase, highlighting the necessity to align member state’s bilateral energy agreements to an overall EU external energy strategy. “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”, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger stressed. In order to reduce tensions in world energy markets and ensure greater supply security, the proposal stresses the need to further strengthen the use of renewable energy sources, especially in developing countries. Sustainable energy policies play an essential role in poverty eradication and the support of inclusive growth and are essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, the communication reads. The communication was welcomed by Bulgarian ministers of foreign affairs, Nickolay Mladenov and of economy, energy and tourism, Traycho Traykov, as a means to “put an end to the practise 'divide and rule' in the European energy policy”. The Greens of the European Parliament (EP) have however labelled the proposal as demonstrating “a damaging addiction to fossil fuel imports” and to present unrealistic figures on the export capacities of key exporting countries, such as Russia. The communication is due to be discussed by the EP and European Energy ministers in the upcoming weeks and is expected to encounter resistance from EU member states, fearing to lose their autonomy in the field of external energy policy. Read the communication here: European Commission - Energy Sources:  |
