Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12514 | 02 February 2011

Energy diversification, a common European economic interest

Signatories: Mr Kimmo SASI, Finland, EPP/CD ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Ms Jana FISCHEROVÁ, Czech Republic, EDG ; Mr Jean-Charles GARDETTO, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Ms Carina HÄGG, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Holger HAIBACH, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Andres HERKEL, Estonia, EPP/CD ; Mr Johannes HÜBNER, Austria, NR ; Mr Stanisław HUSKOWSKI, Poland, EPP/CD ; Mr Giorgi KANDELAKI, Georgia, EPP/CD ; Ms Krista KIURU, Finland, SOC ; Mr Juha KORKEAOJA, Finland, ALDE ; Mr Franz Eduard KÜHNEL, Austria, EPP/CD ; Mr Jaakko LAAKSO, Finland, UEL ; Mr Markku LAUKKANEN, Finland, ALDE ; Ms Mirosława NYKIEL, Poland, EPP/CD ; Ms Elsa PAPADIMITRIOU, Greece, EPP/CD ; Mr Grigore PETRENCO, Republic of Moldova, UEL ; Ms Marietta de POURBAIX-LUNDIN, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Mr Christos POURGOURIDES, Cyprus, EPP/CD ; Ms Marina SCHUSTER, Germany, ALDE ; Ms Tuulikki UKKOLA, Finland, EPP/CD ; Mr Egidijus VAREIKIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

The Assembly has repeatedly insisted on the importance of the diversification of energy sources, technologies and supply routes, in addition to the need for energy savings, sound investment choices and better coordinated energy policies across Europe. This has been recently reiterated in its Resolution 1774 (2010) on Enhancing Europe’s energy security through greater use of liquefied natural gas.

The European Union has put energy issues on the top of its agenda, it be with the proposal from the European Commission of a mid-term European energy strategy: “Energy 2020: strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy” or the special European Council of February 2011 dedicated to European energy strategy organised as a flagship event under the Hungarian Presidency.

We are fully aware of the European Union’s endeavours in the energy field and we welcome them. However, we also believe that the discussion should not be limited to the 27 European Union member states. We believe that a common European energy policy is indispensable and in the common interest. It is therefore essential that the Council of Europe be fully involved in the further developement of the European energy strategy, all the more so considering it has among its member states supply, transit and receiving states of energy.

Further efforts need to be taken up to upgrade energy infrastructure and interconnection in order to enhance energy diversification in Europe. We therefore propose that a transparent and thorough study and debate be taken at the Parliamentary Assembly level to give it a real pan-European dimension.