Notre Europe's report:
Towards a European Energy Community"
Policy proposal by Jacques Delors

PRESENTATION

Europe needs a common energy policy in order to guarantee access for its citizens to energy at reasonable and stable prices; to maintain its industrial competitiveness; to promote sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon society; and to ensure the security of energy supply for all Europeans. In the light of with these multiple challenges and energy constraints, Notre Europe began a process of reflection on the future of European energy policy, and in regard developed Jacques Delors’s proposal for a "European Energy Community.”

To meet all these challenges and to put in place a coherent and integrated single regulatory space for energy in Europe, a new approach aimed at deeper integration and solidarity in the field of energy is required. The most ambitious option, but also the most promising, would be to create a European Energy Community with its own rules and methods specific to the energy field, integrating the economic, political and strategic dimensions. A common energy policy will clearly not be brought about overnight. But Europe cannot afford to wait. Will Europe choose to play a pro-active role in the next industrial revolution, or will it be content to follow the lead set by others?

When six European states decided in 1951 to integrate two key sectors of their economies to create a Community, their purpose was to replace conflict with cooperation and antagonism with prosperity. Energy was one of the sectors. Almost sixty years later, energy is still at the top of the political and economic agenda. However, the rules that ensured equal access to common resources no longer exist. Should we not work to reframe them in a manner commensurate with the challenges Europe faces? This would be a way of responding to the concerns of our fellow citizens and their call for a common political project in the field of energy. Notre Europe will be deeply involved in the ongoing debate on the future of European energy policy, and will pursue the debate over the European Energy Community in the months to come with various important public, private, non-governmental, local, national, regional and European stakeholders.

Sami ANDOURA

FOLLOWING STEPS 

Notre Europe will pursue in the months to come the debate over the European Energy Community with various important public and private actors on the local, national, and European levels.        

ACTIVITIES 

A large circulation and media debate: Notre Europe’s proposal, viewed nearly 10,000 times, has started a substantial European debate in the media and blogs.






Download : PRESS REVIEW 



Seminar at Helsinki on the European Energy Community, the Nordic experience and the case of the Baltic: On the invitation of the Finnish Foreign Minister, Notre Europe and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs is organising, Thursday, October 7th, 2010 at Helsinki, an Expert Seminar in order to discuss the European Energy Community, the Nordic experience, regional energy cooperation, and the specific case of the Baltic.

Download: PROGRAMME



Exceptional Debate with Herman Van Rompuy : The 20th of September, during the Notre Europe’s debate organized in Sciences-Po Paris, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy paid a tribute, in his speech, to the Energy Report of the think tank and affirmed that it will be reported during the next European Council of next February.


Download:Press Review


The Forum of the Newspaper ‘Libération’ debate on the European Energy Community: On the occasion of Libération’s Forum at Lyon on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of September 2010, Notre Europe has organized a debate on the theme “For a European Energy Community” with Elisabeth Guigou, MEP, former Minister, and member of Notre Europe’s Board and Yannick Jadot, MEP and environmental activist.

Download: PROGRAMME ARTICLE in LIBERATION PRESS COMMUNIQUE


Debate Conference in Italy - “A European Energy Community for the 21st Century” : Notre Europe in cooperation with the Compagnia di san Paolo organised a conference in Turin on June 30, 2010, on its proposal for a European Energy Community.

Download: PROGRAMME / ARTICLE in LA STAMPA


The European Energy Community at the heart of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting: Notre Europe introduced the debate over the selected topic « Towards a European Energy Community for the 21st Century » in the context of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting, under the Spanish Presidency of the EU on the 7th and 8th of June 2010.


Download : PROGRAMME / PRESS REVIEW 


Expert seminar on the institutional and legal dimensions: On the 4th of May 2010, Notre Europe organized an  expert seminar in order to study the legal feasibility of the European Energy Community as well as the various instruments that would allow for it to be developed.

Download : PROGRAMME / WORKING PAPER / SUMMARY 


Joint declaration by Jacques Delors and Jerzy Buzek: Notre Europe’s policy was supported by Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, and Jacques Delors in a joint Declaration on the 5th May 2010.

Download : DECLARATION TRANSLATED INTO 22 LANGUAGES 


Presentation to the European Parliament: Notre Europe presented its proposal to the European Parliament on the 5th of May 2010 in the presence of Jacques Delors, Jerzy Buzek, Günther Oettinger, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa and the authors of the report.

Download : PROGRAMME / VIDEO


Discussion group with the Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger: On the occasion of the Third Europe Forum in Strasbourg on the 17th of April 2010, Notre Europe organized a discussion group centered around its proposal with the European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger.
Download : PROGRAMME / SUMMARY 

OTHER RESEARCH THEMES LINKED TO EUROPEAN ENERGY POLICY 

• Developing a European Grand Strategy for energy : Analysis of how the European Union might develop an overarching energy strategy in its relations with external partners and in its different external policies (CFSP, ENP, trade, development)
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       - Towards a New Energy Policy for Europe: the Need for a New Framework, article by Sami Andoura include in TGAE report  
  
  
• Taxing energy and the environment: Comparative analysis of the different forms of energy and environmental taxation (carbon tax, border tax, corporate tax, etc.) - and the link with the budgetary debate and the question of the Union's own resources
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       -  "An ever Less Carbonated Union? Towards a Better European Taxation Against Climate Change": Study by Eloi Laurent and Jacques Le Cacheux
  - "Social Europe and the crisis: Defining a new Agenda": Policy paper by Eulalia Rubio 
  
  
• What kind of European energy solidarity?: Research on the possible "operational" implementation of the principle of energy solidarity (Lisbon Treaty) in law and in practice - in addition to the intra-European dimension of energy security (storage, preventive mechanisms and crisis management)
  Download : 
  
  
• Schengen for energy?: Research on the different potential forms and options for differentiated integration in the energy field. Analysis of existing forms of regional integration and contextual study of experience in other fields (Euro, etc.)
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