Memorandum by Mr Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner
for Energy, European Commission
REVIEW OF
EUROPEAN SECURITY
STRATEGY—ISSUE
OF ENERGY
SECURITY
In the European Security Strategy adopted in
2003, growing dependence on energy imports and reliance on interconnected
infrastructures in energy and transport, inter alia, were recognised
as security challenges for Europe.
Since then, the general approach outlined in
the European Security Strategy and the policy implications for
Europe (more active, coherent, capable, and work with partners)
have been encompassed in the Energy Policy for Europe endorsed
by the European Council in March 2007.
The Energy Policy for Europe is a strategy to
achieve three objectives—security of supply, climate protection
and competitiveness. The strategy is based on the combination
of action at European and Member States' levels, solidarity between
Member States and an effective European international energy policy
speaking with a common voice. A comprehensive Action Plan has
been agreed by the European Council for 2007-2009 and will be
updated in 2010.
The Action Plan fixes quantified targets for
2020 for energy efficiency and renewables energies, alongside
those on greenhouse gas emissions. This highlights the important
role of internal action, exploiting the potential for energy savings
and developing domestic resources.
The Energy Policy for Europe addresses energy
security in both its short-term (crisis prevention and management)
and medium to long-term (investments, management of interdependence,
transition to low-carbon energy systems) dimensions.
For crisis prevention and management, alongside
EU frameworks (Oil Stocks Directive and Oil Supply Group, Gas
Security of Supply Directive and Gas Coordination Group), a Network
of Energy Security Correspondents has been established by the
Commission, the Council Secretariat and the Member States (Foreign
Affairs and Energy Ministries), to act as an early warning and
information exchange tool. A legislative proposal to improve the
organisation and effectiveness of emergency oil stocks is in preparation,
as is an evaluation report on the Gas Security of Supply Directive.
As regards actions to achieve energy security
in the medium to long-term, a well-functioning, well-interconnected
internal energy market is at the core of the strategy. Interconnections
can diminish the vulnerability of individual Member States to
supply shocks. Solidarity is impossible without interconnections.
A well-functioning market can be the basis for the development
of robust relations with energy suppliers. Such a market, attracting
innovation and new market entrants, is essential in the transition
to the high-efficiency, low-carbon, diverse energy systems which
will be the basis of energy security in Europe and worldwide in
the long term.
The development of security and solidarity within
Europe will enable the development of a strong common voice in
external energy relations. Internal and external policy should
not be seen as separate tracks.
As a basis for the updating of the Action, Plan
for the period from 2010 on, the European Council has asked the
Commission to prepare a second Strategic Energy Review. This will
focus on energy security. It will be adopted by the Commission
in late-October 2008.
7 July 2008
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