In the spirit of solidarity - an External Energy Policy for the EU?

So far the external energy policy of the EU was mainly a national affair, determined by the Member States and the industry. This seems to change: In its Energy Strategy 2020 the European Commission names the strengthening of the external dimension of the EU energy market as one of five priorities. A public consultation, launched by the European Commission to collect views of stakeholders on possible priorities and new initiatives on the topic has just come to a close. An ever increasing demand for energy, volatile prices and an unreliable supply show clearly the need and the benefit for the EU to address supplier and third countries with a common voice. Though agreeing on the objective, many questions remain to be answered on the way towards a common and coherent EU external energy policy. Which tools does the EU have at hand to extend the goals and instruments of its common energy policy towards its neighbouring countries? How to advance the existing structures of cooperation in order to establish an energy infrastructure for the future and the corresponding markets? How to reach the goal of a common electricity market for the EU and its immediate neighbours based on sources of renewable energy?

Speakers:
- Sascha Müller-Kraenner, Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy in Europe
- Julia Michalak, Greenpeace Poland, Climate and Energy Coordinator (tbc)
- N.N., European Commission, DG Energy, Unit International relations & Enlargement

Moderator:
- Bastian Hermisson, Head of Department EU / North America, Heinrich Böll Foundation Berlin

This programme has been supported by funding from the European Commission.
The European Commission is not responsible for the contents of the programme.