Schulz on the Energy Union

"Energy was central to the foundation of the European project in the '50s. Now, in the aftermath of the crisis, it should again give a boost to a stronger Europe.

The President of the European Commission was right in making the energy union one of his top priorities and I am glad that it will be supported by his investment plan. The five dimensions and fifteen actions outlined today in the European Parliament touch upon issues the European Union has been struggling with for years. This is the right moment to work together at European, national, regional and local level to make the energy union a reality.

Current events only help highlight even further the urgency for Europe to increase its energy security, its diversification of resources, the need to unite a fragmented market and speak with a stronger voice in energy and trade negotiations with third countries. This makes sense from a political, security and economic perspective.

The energy union is even more necessary and urgent in the run up to the December Paris Climate Conference. We need to go to Paris with a credible mandate, demonstrating that our energy union in fact results in a more sustainable, more secure and more competitive economy.

The European Parliament will now look at the Commission proposals, scrutinise them, improve them where needed and turn them into legislation. Let's get to work to make the energy union a success."