Brussels, 29/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) energy committee has firmly backed the European Commission proposal for increased cooperation among member states on inter-governmental agreements with energy supplying third countries, and also for an information exchange mechanism monitored by the Commission.
To provide some impetus for the external dimension of the common energy policy, the EP energy committee gave clear support to the proposal brought by the Commission in September 2011, which seeks to require member states to share the details of all bilateral energy supply deals that they negotiate with third countries. In its role as preliminary legislative monitor, the Commission could demand alterations to contracts agreed by member states with third countries if it felt the provisions were not compatible with the principles of the 3rd liberalisation package.
On Tuesday 28 February, the committee, chaired by Amalia Sartori (EPP, Italy), adopted the report by Krisjanis Karins (EPP, Latvia) by 48 votes to four, with no abstentions. Speaking to press, Karins said that the two aspects of the initial proposal - non-infringement of the acquis communautaire by bilateral energy agreements, and coordination among member states during their negotiations with third countries - were contained in the amended text.
The committee backed the demand that EU governments provide the Commission with details of their bilateral agreements with supplier third countries. Member states will be required to inform the Commission of any new plans for a bilateral agreement at least three months before talks open. It also supported the idea of allowing the Commission to attend negotiations as an observer, to check that the deals comply with EU law. The Karins report strengthens the initial Commission proposal on allowing the European executive to issue recommendations prior to the conclusion of bilateral agreements with third countries, if it discovers any inconsistencies with the acquis. If member states do not comply, the Commission will able to launch infringement proceedings.
Tuesday's vote gives Karins a mandate to negotiate a final compromise text with the Danish Presidency of the Council, with a view to reaching agreement before the end of its term of office in June. In Council, member states are against the requirement to share information. (EH/transl.rt)