The strategy behind energy-related aspects of European neighborhood policy

Résumé du document

The paper notes that the EU will increasingly rely on energy supplies from neighboring countries. Needless to say that among the principles and motives of the ENP, energy has a major role since it is obvious neighboring countries have resources (oil and gas) the EU needs to secure. For instance Europe receives gas from (or via) several neighboring countries (Algeria; Azerbaijan – via Georgia; Libya; Russia – through various channels including via Belarus and Ukraine). How is energy handled in ENPs? Within the frame of the ENP, which strategy is adopted concerning energy? Talking about a strategy, we should first define the goals (of this strategy); then identify the means used to achieve these goals; and see if these means are fully consequent with the desired goals.

Extraits

[...] * The EU-Russia energy dialogue (2000) is not part of the ENP but of the broader bilateral cooperation partnership. It focuses mainly on increasing energy market competition, new infrastructures but also improving the investment conditions. These efforts focusing on market and infrastructure are nothing new. Before the ENP, the EU has launched the Inogate program in 1995, which aims at stimulating the market and investment streams in the Independent States” by strengthening transnational cooperation in the energy and transport sectors. [...]

[...] The EU seeks to extend this market to neighbouring countries. It has engaged political dialogues with supplier countries; it includes, for instance: * The Euro-Mediterranean Process: In a large part, it is interested in maintaining access to Algeria's gas reserves. It includes the formation and integration of the Maghreb electricity market, for a possible connection with Europe. It supports regional efforts to harmonize legal frameworks of energy sectors through various initiatives, such as the implementation of a Euro-Mashreq market of gas and cooperation between the regulators of energy. [...]

[...] In particular, there will be assistance for the extension of the Ukrainian gas transit network and the construction of new, more diverse supply routes. We also want to help with regional integration between our partners.” The energy approach of the ENP is about energy security but about traditional notions of energy supply (infrastructures, pipelines). Renewable energies are hardly mentioned in all strategy papers in spite of the potential of neighbouring countries. Important issues are handled in the energy ENP approach. Indeed the EU must guarantee through its strategy the security of fossil fuel supply. [...]

[...] One goal seems obvious: energy security of the EU. In 2003, the Communication the development of Energy Policy for the enlarged EU, its Neighbours and Partner countries” listed various objectives: to enhance security of energy supply / to strengthen the internal energy market / to support energy system modernization in partner countries / to encourage new energy infrastructures. In a Commission paper entitled external policy to serve Europe's energy interests” submitted to the European Council on June two building blocks of energy security were defined: - FUNCTIONNING MARKETS: “Well-functioning world markets are the best way of ensuring safe and affordable energy supplies. [...]

[...] The improvement of the internal energy market and its extension should have benefits (e.g. concerning improvement of technical standards). However, the strategy is above all established to secure benefits for the EU (benefits for the neighbouring countries are supposed to come from the EU instruments to provide legal and financial assistance. Renewable energies are not considered in an appropriate scope. Literature - Communication the development of Energy Policy for the enlarged EU, its Neighbours and Partner countries” (2003) - ENP Strategy Paper (2004) - Communication “Strengthening the COM (2006) - Speech of Commissioner Ferrerro-Waldner. [...]