7. We consider that the following raises
questions of political importance, but make no recommendation for
its further consideration at this stage:--
Department of Trade and Industry
(17547)
-- |
Draft Decision concerning the organisation of the
co-operation around agreed Community energy
objectives. |
| Legal base: |
Article 130(3); unanimity. |
Introduction
7.1 The Commission was invited to put forward this
draft Decision in a Council Resolution of 7 May 1996[16] on the Commission's White
Paper An Energy Policy for the European Union[17]. The earlier Green Paper
was debated in European Standing Committee B on 17 May 1995.[18]
The document
7.2 The draft Decision would create a formal
system for co-operation to achieve agreed objectives on Community
energy policy. These are annexed to the proposal and are based
on the White Paper. They are expected to contribute towards:
--achieving a high level of competitiveness;
--increasing security of supply;
--greater protection of the environment;
--promoting the rational use of energy and new and
renewable energy sources;
--promoting international energy co-operation and
liberalisation;
--ensuring transparency of national and Community energy
policy actions; and
--developing a mechanism for analysis and monitoring of
the energy market.
7.3 The draft Decision would require the
Commission to continue to monitor energy policy developments in
Member States and the global energy situation, scrutinise
Community and national actions, develop co-operation and
encourage the dissemination of information. The proposal would
require Member States to report annually on measures taken
nationally to achieve the agreed objectives. The Commission
would also be required to produce a report on the compatibility
of Member States' policies and Community actions in the energy
field with the agreed objectives.
7.4 Member States would be required to report
annually on measures taken nationally to achieve the agreed
objectives.
The Government's view
7.5 In his Explanatory Memorandum (dated 7
November) the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the
Department of Trade and Industry (Mr. Page) says:
"The UK supports the existing process of discussing
policy issues in fora like meetings of Directors General for
Energy or the Council, but sees no convincing argument for
formalising the system to the extent suggested around common
energy objectives, which may be difficult to agree or too general
to provide clear guidance. We intend to raise a number of
matters in the course of discussion and in particular our concern
about the requirement for Member States to report annually on the
measures taken to achieve the energy objectives and be examined
by a new Commission Committee assisted by Member States."
Conclusion
7.6 The general principle of the extent to
which energy should be co-ordinated by the Commission was debated
in European Standing Committee B on 17 May 1995. On 22 April
1996 the then Minister (Mr Eggar) submitted an EM on the
Resolution inviting the Commission to put forward this draft
Decision, in which he said that each proposal would be considered
on its own merits when presented to the Council. He gave no
indication that the Government would oppose this particular
measure, and it is not clear from the current EM whether it
intends to do so.
7.7 We ask the Government to provide us with
information on the progress of its negotiations on the document,
including the views of other Member States, and a clear
indication of its own intentions. Meanwhile, we are not clearing
the document.
16. (17110)--; see HC 51-xvii (1995-96),
paragraph 11 (24 April 1996). Back
17. (16940) 5455/96, COM(95) 682; see HC 51-x
(1995-96), paragraph 4 (21 February 1996). Back
18. (15971) 4523/95; see HC 70-xxv (1994-95),
paragraph 29 (18 October 1995), and Official Report,
European Standing Committee B, 18 May 1995. Back
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