Close Menu
    Latest Category
    • Finance
    • Tech
    • EU Law
    • Energy
    • About
    • Contact
    EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politicsEUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics
    Login
    • EU News
    • Focus
    • Guides
    • Press
    • Jobs
    • Events
    • Directory
    EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politicsEUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics
    Home » Securing the EU’s energy interests abroad

    Securing the EU’s energy interests abroad

    eub2By eub27 September 2011 Energy No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    — last modified 07 September 2011

    The European Commission has 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. 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. In today’s ever-changing global energy markets, the EC says achieving EU energy security calls for adequate coordination at home and a strong and assertive position abroad.


    Advertisement


    Alongside the Communication, 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. It 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. The proposed mechanism is set to strengthen the negotiating position of Member States vis-à-vis third countries, while ensuring security of supply, proper functioning of the internal market and creating legal certainty for investment.

    Background

    The share of imported energy in the EU – currently 80% for oil and over 60% for gas – continues to rise. National decisions and agreements with third countries have a significant impact on the development of energy infrastructure and energy supply to the EU as a whole. EU interests need to be better promoted in relations with both transit countries and energy producing countries. At the same time, new patterns of supply and demand in global energy markets and growing competition for resources also make it necessary to exercise the combined weight of the EU in external energy relations.

    In line with the Energy 2020 strategy, today’s Communication proposes to enhance the external dimension of the EU energy policy through improving transparency among EU Member States on their energy agreements with third countries, strengthening coordination when approaching partner countries, when taking position in international organisations, and when developing comprehensive energy partnerships with key partner countries.

    The strategy lists 43 concrete actions which include notably:

    • Member States have to share among each other information about international agreements with third countries in the field of energy. This includes agreements which are still under negotiation. On a case-by-case basis, the Commission may provide an opinion on the conformity of these agreements with EU law and with the EU security of supply objectives.
    • Energy agreements with third countries could also be negotiated at EU level where necessary to achieve the EU core objectives. This is the case for an agreement with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, where a specific mandate from the Council has been requested.
    • The EU will propose a new partnership on renewable energy projects with the Southern Mediterranean countries.
    • The EU will advocate for international legally binding nuclear safety standards in multilateral discussions, including under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and will aim to extend nuclear safety assessments to EU neighbouring countries.
    • The EU development policy will include a greater emphasis on improving access to sustainable energy for the least developed and developing countries.

    Further information: Energy – the external dimension

    Source: European Commission

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    eub2
    • Website

    eub2 is the default publisher for EUbusiness.

    Related Content

    FuelsEurope

    REACH Advocacy Manager, FuelsEurope

    Gas - Photo by Torsten Dettlaff on Pexels

    EU moves to fully end dependence on Russian energy

    Danube InGrid Kisbér substation

    EUR 600m funding call for energy infrastructure projects

    Wind turbines sunset - Image by Bruno from Pixabay

    Electricity from renewable sources reached 47% in the EU in 2024

    Press & Media Relations , Union of the Electricity Industry, EURELECTRIC

    Renewable energy - Image by Maria Maltseva from Pixabay

    26 pct of energy for heating and cooling in EU is renewable

    LATEST EU NEWS
    Investment - Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels

    EU agrees on shorter settlement cycle for securities trading

    18 June 2025
    Trade front loader beside intermodal containers - Photo by Chanaka on Pexels

    MEPs seal deal with Council to simplify EU carbon leakage instrument

    18 June 2025
    Euro - ECB-Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

    Jittery markets await Fed as Middle East conflict rages on – Euro currency news daily

    18 June 2025
    Health research - Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

    EU awards EUR 721m funding for cutting-edge research

    17 June 2025
    mobile-phone-Smartphone - Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

    Brussels proposes cheap calls for Ukrainians in EU from 2026

    17 June 2025

    Subscribe to EUbusiness Week

    Get the latest EU news

    CONTACT INFO

    • EUbusiness Ltd 117 High Street, Chesham Buckinghamshire, HP5 1DE United Kingdom
    • +44(0)20 8058 8232
    • service@eubusiness.com

    INFORMATION

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Info

    Services

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • EU News

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Facebook
    eubusiness.com © EUbusiness Ltd 2025

    Design and developed by : 

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?