Positie EU-lidstaten bij energie-onderhandelingen versterkt (en)

Today, one of the goals high on the energy agenda of the Danish Presidency has been reached. The Danish Presidency has finalized an agreement with the European Parliament, which will put Member States in a stronger position when entering into oil and gas agreements with countries outside of the EU.

With the agreement, Member States have committed to larger transparency relating to intergovernmental agreements with third parties in the field of energy.

"The agreement ensures an enhanced cooperation to the benefit of the internal energy market and security of supply in the EU. This is an important result both for the EU and the Danish Presidency", says Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard.

The decision will contribute to 1) securing that intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy respect the 'aquis' of the internal market 2) enhanced transparency and solidarity 3) an improvement of Member States' individual and collective negotiating position vis a vis countries outside of the EU.

"I am very happy that we succeeded in reaching an agreement with the European Parliament on this file. With the agreement we strengthen the information exchange between Member States - and we get a clearer overview in the EU of intergovernmental agreements related to import of oil, gas and electricity. At the same time, the decision puts Member States in a stronger position in negotiations with countries outside the EU, which can be an advantage particularly for small Member States" says Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard.

The agreement stipulates that Member States shall inform the Commission about intergovernmental agreements with third countries in the field of energy, if the agreements can have an impact on the internal energy market or security of supply in the EU. If a Member State for example negotiates an intergovernmental agreement as a backdrop to import of natural gas it can request the Commission to participate as an observer in the negotiations. A Member State can also ask the Commission whether a proposed agreement is compatible with the internal energy market aquis.

The decision only applies to agreements between governments and not between commercial operators in the field of energy.

Contact

Cecilie Weinholt-Ludvigsen, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Building

Tel: +45 41 72 90 12, email: cewei@kebmin.dk