Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1465
2008-09-22 16:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USEU Brussels
Cable title:
EU ENERGY SECURITY GOALS FOR THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP
how-toVZCZCXRO8557 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDF RUEHHM RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHTM DE RUEHBS #1465 2661624 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221624Z SEP 08 FM USEU BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001465
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET EU
SUBJECT: EU ENERGY SECURITY GOALS FOR THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP
GROUP MEETING
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001465
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET EU
SUBJECT: EU ENERGY SECURITY GOALS FOR THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP
GROUP MEETING
1. (SBU) Econ Officer spoke with Ulrich Eckle, Principal
Administrator for Relations with the United States and Canada
at DG-RELEX, on September 19 about the EU position on energy
security going into the U.S./EU Senior Leadership Group (SLG)
meeting.
2. (SBU) According to Eckle, the EU,s number one priority,
as set forth in the Third Energy Package, is the realization
of a common EU internal market for gas and electricity. This
package is intended to increase the interconnections between
member states and decreasing Russia's (or others) ability to
disrupt supplies -- a supply disruption in one member state
could be offset by shifting supplies from another member
state is the best means to providing energy security. The EU
Commission's goal is to push for adoption of the Third Energy
Package during the French Presidency.
3. (SBU) The Commission's second priority is for passage of
the Climate and Energy Package. This package requires member
states to improve in energy efficiency and to increase the
use of renewables, both of which would decrease dependence on
imports.
4. (SBU) The Commission shares the U.S. view of the
importance of increasing outreach to the Caspian and is
planning on organizing a high-level Energy Summit as part of
their "Baku Initiative," although no date has been set. The
EU is also looking at expanding cooperation with Ukraine, and
is planning to organize a conference this year for investors
to talk about ways to upgrade Ukraine's energy
infrastructure. EU officials plan to invite representatives
from the U.S. and Russia to participate.
5. (SBU) The Commission realizes the importance of Turkey to
any discussion of opening up the Southern Corridor, but Eckle
stressed that negotiations with Turkey are complex. He said
there are those within the Commission that support opening up
the Energy Chapter as an incentive for Turkey on the transit
issue, but there is disagreement (especially among member
states) over whether or not they should go down this path.
6. (SBU) Eckle also stressed that the EU is in a difficult
position with Russia because of their dependence on Russian
gas supplies. Eckle echoed the EU line that Russia has been
a very reliable supplier and that the EU and Russia have a
mutual dependence as supplier and consumer.
7. (SBU) Comment. Recent discussions with other EU officials,
think tanks, and industry officials indicate that Eckle's
view of Russia as a reliable supplier is less commonly shared
after the events in Georgia. Many Europeans Econ Officer has
spoken with now question whether they can continue to rely on
Russia and are waking up to the reality that many member
states, particularly in the East, remain vulnerable to supply
disruptions. End Comment.
Silverberg.
.
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET EU
SUBJECT: EU ENERGY SECURITY GOALS FOR THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP
GROUP MEETING
1. (SBU) Econ Officer spoke with Ulrich Eckle, Principal
Administrator for Relations with the United States and Canada
at DG-RELEX, on September 19 about the EU position on energy
security going into the U.S./EU Senior Leadership Group (SLG)
meeting.
2. (SBU) According to Eckle, the EU,s number one priority,
as set forth in the Third Energy Package, is the realization
of a common EU internal market for gas and electricity. This
package is intended to increase the interconnections between
member states and decreasing Russia's (or others) ability to
disrupt supplies -- a supply disruption in one member state
could be offset by shifting supplies from another member
state is the best means to providing energy security. The EU
Commission's goal is to push for adoption of the Third Energy
Package during the French Presidency.
3. (SBU) The Commission's second priority is for passage of
the Climate and Energy Package. This package requires member
states to improve in energy efficiency and to increase the
use of renewables, both of which would decrease dependence on
imports.
4. (SBU) The Commission shares the U.S. view of the
importance of increasing outreach to the Caspian and is
planning on organizing a high-level Energy Summit as part of
their "Baku Initiative," although no date has been set. The
EU is also looking at expanding cooperation with Ukraine, and
is planning to organize a conference this year for investors
to talk about ways to upgrade Ukraine's energy
infrastructure. EU officials plan to invite representatives
from the U.S. and Russia to participate.
5. (SBU) The Commission realizes the importance of Turkey to
any discussion of opening up the Southern Corridor, but Eckle
stressed that negotiations with Turkey are complex. He said
there are those within the Commission that support opening up
the Energy Chapter as an incentive for Turkey on the transit
issue, but there is disagreement (especially among member
states) over whether or not they should go down this path.
6. (SBU) Eckle also stressed that the EU is in a difficult
position with Russia because of their dependence on Russian
gas supplies. Eckle echoed the EU line that Russia has been
a very reliable supplier and that the EU and Russia have a
mutual dependence as supplier and consumer.
7. (SBU) Comment. Recent discussions with other EU officials,
think tanks, and industry officials indicate that Eckle's
view of Russia as a reliable supplier is less commonly shared
after the events in Georgia. Many Europeans Econ Officer has
spoken with now question whether they can continue to rely on
Russia and are waking up to the reality that many member
states, particularly in the East, remain vulnerable to supply
disruptions. End Comment.
Silverberg.
.