Brussels, 20/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - A Parliament/Council compromise is paving the way for the increased pooling of information within the EU on bilateral energy agreements.
On Tuesday 19 June, the committee on energy of the European Parliament approved (by 35 votes in favour and 19 votes against) the compromise reached with the Council by its rapporteur Krisjanis Karins (EPP, Latvia) on the draft decision bringing in a mechanism for the exchange of information between the member states and the European Commission on governmental agreements concluded between the member states and third countries in the field of energy. The MEPs of the S&D and Greens/EFA Groups voted against this text, which they feel is not ambitious enough.
The Karins report supports and reinforces two aspects of the Commission's initial proposal, firstly the non-violation of the Community acquis by bilateral energy agreements and secondly, coordination between the member states in their negotiations with third countries.
The compromise reached will be put to the vote in the plenary assembly in September. (EH/transl.fl)