08/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Greens at the European Parliament are critical of the strategy for an EU energy policy unveiled by the European Commission and EU High Representative Javier Solana (see related article). In a press release, Luxembourg MEP Claude Turmes says it is worrying that there is so little mention of the environmental dimension, particularly protecting the planet from global warming. He said the best way to ensure secure energy supplies was to reduce energy consumption, adding that it was extremely disappointing, to say the least, that the document paid so little attention to energy efficiency and energy saving. Turmes explained that as much gas is wasted heating badly insulated Russian buildings, than Russia exports to the EU. He said that it was more important in the long-term to reduce gas-guzzling by cars and introduce a kerosene tax for air travel, rather than discussing markets and prices with OPEC (see EUROPE 9206). He warned that the EU had to give something to energy exporting countries in return for supplies and it was not possible to get access to Russian gas reserves without giving Gazprom access to the EU gas market. German Green MEP Angelika Beer said she could see one merit at least in the Commission and High Representative's suggestions, namely that in line with the EU Security Strategy, their document does not follow German defence minister Jung's call for examining the option of providing military protection to oil tankers and pipelines.