Brussels, 25/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission is to adopt the final report on the Green Paper on EU Energy Supply Security, after a first postponement due to divergence between Commissioners, mainly on the nuclear question (EUROPE of 20 June, p.12). The Commission should also adopt a communication by Loyola de Palacio proposing review of the mission of the Euratom Security Office and aimed at integrating the Office in the Directorate General on Energy and Transport at the Commission.
Furthermore, EUROPE has reason to believe that the Commissioner wishes to propose minimum Community measures in the near future to manage oil and gas stocks. For oil, such measures would allow the use of stocks in the event of physical shortages or in the case of exploding prices. To ensure this, the volume of stocks should be increased from 90 to 120 consumption. In the event of unforeseeable circumstances, the Commission would be empowered to take measures. For gas, Ms de Palacio recommends that Member States give a clear definition of a general policy for the constitution and use of stocks (fixing a minimum stockpile contribution in the EU or outside, founding part of supplies on long-term contracts, etc.). In the case of a critical situation, the Commission could urge Member States to provide assistance to the other members affected by the crisis. If these measures do not suffice or if the situation grows worse, the Commission could compel Member States to take measures such as releasing gas stocks or making gas pipelines available. Ms de Palacio also hopes to promote energy dialogue between producer and consumer countries, and set in place a European observation system under the surveillance of the Commission's services.