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BRUSSELS NOTEBOOKPrimary Points of the EU Energy Strategy● The European Union will become increasinglydependent on external energy sources; enlargement willnot change the situation; based on current forecasts,dependence will reach 70% in 2030.● The European Union has very limited scope toinfluence energy supply conditions; it is essentially onPrimary Pointsof Discussion for EU Member StatesCan the European Union acceptan increase in its dependenceon external energysources without compromisingits security of supply and Europeancompetitiveness? For which sources ofenergy would it be appropriate, if thiswere the case, to foresee a frameworkpolicy for imports? In this context, is itappropriate to favor an economic approach:energy cost; or geopolitical approach:risk of disruption?2Does not Europe’s increasinglyintegrated internal market,where decisions taken in onecountry have an impact on theothers, call for a consistent and coordinatedpolicy at Community level? Whatshould such a policy consist of andwhere should competition rules fit in?3Are tax and State aid policiesin the energy sector an obstacleto competitiveness inthe European Union or not?Given the failure of attempts to harmonizeindirect taxation, should notthe whole issue of energy taxation bere-examined taking account of energyand environmental objectives?In the framework of an ongoingdialogue with producercountries, what should supplyand investment promotionagreements contain? Given the importanceof a partnership with Russia inparticular, how can stable quantities,prices and investments be guaranteed?5Should more reserves bestockpiled – as already donefor oil – and should other energysources be included,such as gas or coal? Should the Communitytake on a greater role in stockmanagement and, if so, what shouldthe objectives and modalities be? Doesthe risk of physical disruption to energysupplies justify more onerous measuresfor access to resources?6How can we ensure the developmentand better operationof energy transport networksin the European Unionand neighboring countries that enablethe internal market to function properlyand guarantee security of supply?the demand side that the EU can intervene, mainlyby promoting energy saving in buildings and thetransport sector.1 4 7● At present, the European Union is not in a position torespond to the challenge of climate change and to meetits commitments, notably under the Kyoto Protocol.The development of some renewableenergy sources callsfor major efforts in terms ofresearch and technologicaldevelopment, investment aid and operationalaid. Should co-financing ofthis aid include a contribution fromsectors which received substantial initialdevelopment aid and which arenow highly profitable (gas, oil, nuclearenergy)?8Seeing that nuclear energy isone of the elements in the debateon tackling climatechange and energy autonomy,how can the Community find a solutionto the problem of nuclear waste,reinforcing nuclear safety and developingresearch into reactors of the future,in particular fusion technology?9Which policies should permitthe European Union to fulfillits obligations within the KyotoProtocol? What measurescould be taken in order to exploit fullypotential energy savings which wouldhelp to reduce both our external dependenceand CO 2 emissions?26 AEGEAN NEWS SPRING 2003