Council discusses Energy

Yesterday 9 December, the Council of Ministers discussed Energy issues. They held a policy debate on the 2030 Climate and Energy framework focussing on the new governance process, adopted conclusions on the completion of the internal energy market, and debated the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy. The Council also adopted its position on a draft directive on indirect land-use change, which is aimed to start a transition to biofuels. Conclusions.

The Russian announcement to abandon the South Stream gas pipeline was discussed as well. After the meeting, Commissioner for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič stated that the gas deal between Russia and Ukraine, the ‘European Winter Package’ must be respected regardless. He also stated that the Commission is looking into other energy projects to provide Southern Europe with gas, like a pipeline linking Cypriot gas with Greece.

Šefčovič also met with the seven EU member states that were to host the South Stream gas pipeline. The states (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Romania and Slovenia) said they are still awaiting Russia’s official notification that the South Stream project is terminated. In a statement, they said that if the pipeline would be in line with EU law, it would be advantageous because it diversifies supply routes.