The inaugural meeting of the special Task Force for the Energy Union, initiated in response to a request from Greece, is set for the end of June. This meeting aims to address energy security and disparities in energy prices across European regions, with a particular focus on South-Eastern Europe.
Established following a letter from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the President of the Commission last January, the task force received endorsement today through the Presidency Conclusions adopted by the Council of Energy Ministers, backed by 25 member states, including Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Deputy Minister Nikos Tsakos. A pan-European plenary meeting is scheduled for next September.
The conclusions highlight key EU priorities for the energy sector over the coming years, such as accelerating the adoption of Renewables, enhancing energy efficiency, and investing in robust infrastructure and vital interconnections. They also emphasize the importance of diversifying supply chains, increasing domestic clean technology production, and safeguarding energy infrastructure from cyber attacks and hybrid threats.
Protection of Projects of Common Interest
For Greece, it’s particularly crucial to underscore the need to safeguard Projects of Common Interest—including transnational submarine cables—from potential interference or obstacles posed by third countries.
The Council reaffirms the sovereign rights of Member States to utilize their natural resources in compliance with EU and international law, referencing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Furthermore, particular attention is given to Greece’s request to tackle ongoing discrepancies in energy prices between European regions, aiming to uphold the cohesion of the internal market, enhance citizens’ purchasing power, and ensure the competitiveness of European industry.
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