Energy should not be used as a political tool while energy efficiency should be increased, domestic production strengthen, supplies difersified while at the same time, emergency and solidarity mechanisms should be bolstered, said the conclusions of the sixth European Union-United States Energy Council which met in Brussels.
The meeting, chaired by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, US Secretary of State John Kerry and other top EU and US officials,“recognised that energy security is underpinned by open, competitive and transparent international energy markets and through supportive policies that promote the sustainability of energy production and consumption, in particular the development and deployment of renewable and low carbon energies and energy efficiency,”a statement said.
The Council welcomed the October 30 trilateral gas accord mediated over the course of the last eight months by the European Union, and acknowledged the support of the United States and other parties in this achievement.
“The accord is an important contribution to ensuring Ukraine’s security of gas supply this winter, provides relief to the citizens of Ukraine, and ensures the reliable transit of gas to Europe,” the statement said.
The Council also reiterated the resolve of the EU and the United States to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their support for Ukraine’s new government, and underlined the necessity of continuing the reforms in Ukraine’s energy sector.
Underlining the Russian Federation’s responsibility, the Council called in particular for a “halt to the continuous violations of the ceasefire, a withdrawal of all illegal and foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment, as well as for securing the Ukrainian-Russian border with permanent monitoring by the OSCE.”
“Assessing the present situation, we concurred on the need to coordinate the application of our respective sanctions regimes, while reinforcing measures against separatists as well as in relation to the non-recognition policy related to the illegal annexation of Crimea,”it said.
The Council also welcomed the goal of the European Council to build an Energy Union aiming at affordable, secure and sustainable energy, and supports the work underway to achieve a fully functioning and interconnected internal EU energy market.
The Energy Council, a forum on EU-U.S. energy priorities, promotes transparent and secure global energy markets, fosters policy and regulatory cooperation on efficient and sustainable energy use, and pursues joint research and development on clean energy technologies. These actions boost economic growth and jobs, enhance energy security and international cooperation, and highlight the importance and urgency of tackling global energy and climate challenges.
More at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-2341_en.htm
