Brussels, 16/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - In an article in the French daily La Tribune on 15 April, European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner argues for a “genuine European Diplomatic Service” for the EU's energy security. “With better inter-connections, our internal market will provide more flexibility and solidarity in crises. Improving our energy efficiency by 20% and having at least 20% renewable in our energy mix will reduce our hydrocarbon imports. But let us not be under any illusions. Even when all the measures are applied in 2020, we will still have to import 50% of our energy, largely hydocarbons. The EU's problem is, and will remain, the management of its imports and the security of its supplies, especially gas,” she said, noting that gas supplies come essentially from Russia (46%), Norway (26%) and Algeria (20%). “In this context, difficulties are increasing,” she added, citing high oil prices, growing competition from other consumer countries, the re-nationalisation of resources by most producer countries and the risk of the creation of cartels among EU gas suppliers. “Diversification is not only a political choice, it is a responsibility towards our fellow citizens,” she went on, noting that the Commission had already successfully concluded energy agreements with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine in the East and with Egypt, Morocco and Jordan in the South, that negotiations were continuing with Turkmenistan, Algeria and Libya, and that further plans for interconnections with the Middle East and the Mashreq, and also partnership with Iraq were being studied. “This diversification only makes sense if there are outlets in the EU. Hence the importance of the Nabucco and trans-Mashreq gas pipelines and future interconnections with the Gulf region and, one day, with Iran,” she said, noting that, as it developed projects in parallel with Nabucco (Nordstream, Bluestream 2 and Southstream), Russia was pursuing its objectives “in a coherent and strategic manner to retain its place in the European market. “Can the EU do as much? In truth, our problem is less Russia than the weakness of our collective response capabilities. Some say our difficulties result from the fact that, despite the progress brought by the Lisbon Treaty, there is no Community competence in energy. What is most serious and most urgent, however, is the lack of coordination within the EU and transparency, which are needed if we are to speak with a single voice to our partners,” she concluded. (E.H.)