Brussels, 07/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - Summarising the first formal session under the Swedish Presidency, after the informal talks on eco-efficiency in Åre (23 and 24 July), Swedish Energy Minister Maud Olofsson hailed the fine results achieved by the Presidency since 1 July, especially on energy efficiency, which is key to be moving the EU to a lower carbon economy, she said, its main priority in an area where Sweden leads the way. Meeting in Brussels on Monday, the Energy Council was able to take note of the progress made on three European Commission proposals to improve energy efficiency, that have been on the table since November 2008 (see EUROPE 9782): the revised draft directive on the energy performance of buildings, the draft directive on energy labelling and the regulation on the labelling of tyres. There was trialogue agreement on the first two on 17 November (see EUROPE 10021), and the third text was adopted by the European Parliament on 25 November. The coming into effect of the Lisbon Treaty has somewhat delayed the procedure for the definitive validation by the Council.
The Swedish Presidency has also facilitated discussion on a further key chapter on energy issues, the draft regulation on security of gas supply, tabled by the Commission in July of this year (see EUROPE 9944). In a policy debate, all member states backed, though sometimes with reservations, depending on their points of view, the Commission proposal, which seeks to provide a clearer definition of roles and tasks between the gas industry, member states and the European institutions. Specific focus in the text is put on crisis prevention and management. Over lunch, energy ministers took stock of gas relations between Russia and Ukraine, the deterioration of which led last year to a gas crisis that affected several EU member states. Olofsson said that member states were now better prepared for any possible gas crisis, since they were better coordinated among themselves. “We feel more reassured today than we did six months ago. We have put a number of instruments in place, we have held discussions with Russia and Ukraine, and we have also more gas stored. We are, then, in a safer position. The atmosphere is much more calm and relaxed,” she said. (E.H./transl.rt)