Brussels, 01/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 28 February, at the first meeting of the High level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and the Environment (see EUROPE 9141) on which he serves as a stakeholder representative (unions), John Monks, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), stressed the need for a coherent European energy policy. “The liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets increases competition, but not necessarily in favour of consumers and new enterprises. On the contrary, the latest developments in France and Spain highlight the risks of industrial concentration which the Commission denounced” in its recent inquiry into the state of play in the energy sector, carried out by DG Competition (see EUROPE 9133 and related article in this edition), ETUC said in a press release. “We are, in fact, witnessing the setting up of a European oligopoly, and anti-trust laws will be unable to stop this,” it went on. ETUC denounced the risk of “not giving priority to the security of supply and playing a part in the privatisation of the regulation of energy provision, giving sole authority to the commercial market and bringing about the weakening or even the loss of public control over a crucial sector for economic, social and environmental activities”. “This is not what we wish to see. On the contrary, Europe needs a coherent approach to energy policy, as well as a long-term vision,” insisted ETUC, adding that this coherence was also needed to support sizeable investments necessary for the protection of the environment and to achieve real price stability both for consumers and industry. “More than ever, we need a clear European energy policy to be put in place. It is important that the Commission and the Council clearly indicate the choices for the future that they have in mind to govern this key sector,” ETUC concluded.