Tribune | 04/03/2011 

Notre Europe's report "Towards a European Energy Community" is quoted in Euractiv.com's article, March 3 2011.  

"Former European Commission President Jacques Delors, who is often referred to as one of the 'fathers of Europe', advocates that the EU countries that so wish should begin without delay to embark on a common energy policy.

In a policy paper published by Notre Europe, a think-tank founded by Delors himself, he spells out the priorities for countries that wish to move forward as follows:

• Developing ambitious economic instruments to finance common research and development projects on alternative energies;
• deepening and structuring cooperation in Europe-wide energy networks, and;
• setting up oil and gas purchasing groups to facilitate procurement from foreign suppliers, thereby strengthening and focusing EU foreign policy in this field.

Although these steps may appear technical and limited in scope, they will lead to decisive changes, paving the way for greater cooperation and solidarity in the energy field, Delors writes.

Delors' ideas are widely shared by European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek. To some extent, Commission President José Manuel Barroso has expressed similar views. On a number of occasions, he has likened EU policies to address climate change and improve energy security to the Coal and Steel Community, which paved the way for European reconciliation after the Second World War."

To read the entire article: Euractiv