The EU’s energy ministers, meeting in Brussels on the morning of 12 March, will concentrate on their input for the spring European Council, notably in terms of two questions put forward by the Spanish EU Presidency on infrastructure and, more generally, energy policy’s input to the Union’s strategy for growth and jobs. Energy issues formed a central part of the European Commission’s recently published ‘Europe 2020’ communication, which will be discussed by the spring European Council, on 25 and 26 March.

The two questions for EU energy ministers concern how European energy policy, and particularly the development of energy infrastructure, can contribute to a stronger economic growth and more job creation in Europe. Secondly, energy ministers should examine their practical contribution to the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy. At the Council, chaired by Spanish Secretary of State for Energy Pedro Luis Marín Uribe, ministers are also expected to reach political agreement on energy investment reporting (repealing current Regulation 736/96).

The proposal for a Council regulation, made by the Commission in July 2009 under the consultation procedure, aims at ensuring that the EU executive is accurately and regularly informed of investment projects in EU energy infrastructure. The existing 1996 regulation is seen as outdated, especially due to EU enlargement, security of supply issues, renewables, climate change policy and the variety of notification procedures. A review of the regulation is planned five years after its entry into force.

SET PLAN

The Council should also adopt conclusions on the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plan following the Commission’s October 2009 communication entitled ‘Investing in the development of low carbon technologies’. Other points include a discussion - over lunch - of the Commission’s work programme on energy with the new Commissioner, Günther Oettinger.

Not on the agenda, officially, is discussion of the proposal for a regulation (co-decision) on safeguarding security of gas supply (repealing Directive 2004/67/EC). Work has not progressed sufficiently on this sensitive subject. Under another ‘other business’ is Ukraine’s payment record for Gazprom gas and the lack of reforms in the country’s gas system.

An information note from the Commission reveals that the new Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovich, has indicated that he would like to address contracts with Gazprom (requiring payment by the 6th of each month for gas delivered) within the broader context of revising energy relations with Russia. “Energy relations with Russia are nevertheless likely to improve and so far Naftogaz has been able to meet its gas payment obligations,” states the Commission. The latest payment was made on 4 March.

The Presidency questionnaire and other documents are available at www.europolitics.info > Search = 268183