Brussels, 18/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The internal market, the external dimension and the energy and climate 2030 package will be the focus of an informal ministerial meeting in Vilnius on 19-20 September.
In accordance with the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers for the second half of 2013 (see EUROPE 10881), and in line with the conclusions of the European Council on energy on 22 May (see EUROPE 10850), European energy ministers will continue their work in Vilnius this Thursday and Friday on two key themes - the completion of the internal energy market by 2014, and the strengthening of the external dimension of the EU's energy policy. Led by their Lithuanian host, Jaroslav Neverovic, “discussion will provide a good opportunity for ministers to reflect on the current situation, to evaluate the progress made and to consider the next steps required to meet these goals as well as fostering the EU's competitiveness and responding to the challenge of high energy prices”, says a Presidency note.
During the first session, on Thursday afternoon, the Commission will present a report to the member states, which assesses progress in implementing specific external dimension measures - measures that were proposed by the Commission in September 2011 (see EUROPE 10447) and fixed in the conclusions of the Energy Council in November 2011. “Discussion aims at identification of common ground for strengthening the development of the external dimension of the EU energy policy in regard of speaking with one voice and extending energy acquis beyond the EU borders to ensure a level playing field for EU power producers vis-à-vis producers outside the EEA”, says the Lithuanian Presidency, which wants to make a summary of the debates into a solid contribution for a review of the November 2011 conclusions.
On Friday, the second session will focus on assessing progress towards the completion of the internal energy market by 2014. The minsters will be asked to identify the missing elements and to propose appropriate measures to complete the internal market within the timeframe set by the European Council. The Presidency will present a report to the European Council in December on the basis of these debates.
A third session will focus on the embryonic legislative framework for energy and climate towards 2030. The Commission will present the results of a public consultation on the Green Paper on this, which came to an end at the beginning of July. Broader discussion is not, however, planned. (EH/transl.fl)