Brussels, 10/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The year 2011, the first half of which will see Hungary conclude the work of the trio of presidencies started by Spain and Belgium in 2010, may lead to a major turning point for a common energy policy of the EU, still in its embryonic stages, but for which the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has given increased competence. In an event which will mark a red letter day for the Hungarian Presidency, the European Council convened in Brussels for 4 February by Herman Van Rompuy specifically to deal with the subject of energy confirms the importance granted at the highest political level to this dossier, which is vital for the future of the EU. As well as validating the energy strategy for 2020 in March, the EU27 will also agree on a long-term roadmap for a common energy policy. Alongside Van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso is also determined to give a shot in the arm to Community work, both in terms of security and energy efficiency.
Extraordinary European summit roadmap for 2050. Under the Hungarian Presidency, several strategic dossiers to define the direction of the common energy policy for the coming decade and up to 2050 will be discussed. The EU27 will validate the 10-year strategy 2011-2020 proposed in November by the European Commission supported by the Energy Council of December, and by its counterpart on infrastructure. Along the lines supported by the European executive, the Hungarian Presidency is placing emphasis on the five priorities of the 10-year strategy, which will be debated at the extraordinary European Council on energy to be held on 4 February and adopted at the European Spring Council, which are: efficient use of energy, the integration of the European market, technological transfer, safe and affordable supply for the benefit of consumers and reinforced external dimensions based on a strong international partnership. Budapest hopes to see the European Council of 25 March confirm the adoption provided for by the Energy Council of 28 February of conclusions of the 10-year strategy.
The Hungarian Presidency also hopes to conclude the work that the Belgian Presidency was unable to conclude due to delays taken by the Commission regarding the long-term energy agenda of the EU. The roadmap 2050, which lays down the broad guidelines to help the EU's transition to a very low-carbon economy by halfway through the 21st century, is likely to see the light of day spring, before being examined by the Energy ministers at the informal meeting to be held in Budapest and Gödöllö on 2 and 3 May.
Given the delays built up by the Commission in terms of legislative proposals, the Hungarian Presidency has only a relatively limited amount of work, although it is of considerable scope. The Presidency will lead the work on the revised action plan on energy efficiency, pledged by the Commission for next spring, and which is expected to contain no binding objectives due to resistance from the Council. As regards energy security, the Hungarian Presidency is waiting for the European executive's communication on supply and international cooperation, which will allow the Council to gauge the external dimensions of the energy policy of the EU and to define priorities for external energy cooperation. Budapest will also kick off work on the modernisation reinforcement of the infrastructure, in order to agree on priorities for interconnections and electric, gas and oil capacities. Lastly, the Hungarian Presidency will start the first work on the integrity and transparency of the energy market, which was launched in early December by the Commission to combat market abuses, with the help of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
The highly anticipated European Council on energy of 4 February, the first of its kind convened by initiative of Herman Van Rompuy, will allow the European leaders to give a major political shot in the arm to efforts to meet investment challenges for energy infrastructure, like those regarding the future development of green technologies and the creation of new and effective frameworks for reliable, transparent and properly regulated cooperation with the producer and transit countries.
Energy security and efficiency, a determined Barroso. As well as the determination to lead from the front expressed by the president of the European Council, the Hungarian Presidency can also count on the determination of the head the European executive, who voiced criticism last week of the delay taken by the EU in its ambition to achieve 20% energy savings by 2020. “It is realistic to believe that we will achieve the objective of 20% for renewables, but we will not achieve 10% energy efficiency if we remain on our current basis”, said Barroso, who stressed the enormous potential for energy savings in transport and construction sectors, whilst remaining extremely reluctant to impose binding objectives on the member states. Additionally, getting involved personally promoting the South gas corridor and the completion of the Nabucco gas pipeline project, the president of the Commission will visit Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan next week “to try to obtain clear commitments [from them]”. (E.H./transl.fl)