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Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply
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Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply

Green paper

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The current Green Paper was adopted by the European Commission on 29 November 2000 (COM(2000) 769 final). The European Union is consuming more and more energy and importing more and more energy products. Community production is insufficient for the Union’s energy requirements. As a result, external dependence for energy is constantly increasing. The dramatic rise in oil prices which could undermine the recovery of the European economy, caused by the fact that the price of crude oil has tripled since March 1999, once again reveals the European Union’s structural weaknesses regarding energy supply, namely Europe’s growing dependence on energy, the role of oil as the governing factor in the price of energy and the disappointing results of policies to control consumption. Without an active energy policy, the European Union will not be able to free itself from its increasing energy dependence. If no measures are taken, in the next 20 to 30 years 70% of the Union’s energy requirements, as opposed to the current 50%, will be covered by imported products. This dependence can be witnessed in all sectors of the economy. For example transport, the domestic sector and the electricity industry depend largely on oil and gas and are at the mercy of erratic variations in international prices. Enlargement will exacerbate these trends. In economic terms, the consequences of this dependence are heavy. It cost the Union some EUR 240 billion in 1999, or 6% of total imports. In geopolitical terms, 45% of oil imports come from the Middle East and 40% of natural gas from Russia. The European Union does not yet have all the means to change the international market. The European Union’s long-term strategy for energy supply security must be geared to ensuring, for the well-being of its citizens and the proper functioning of the economy, the uninterrupted physical availability of energy products on the market, at a price which is affordable for all consumers (private and industrial), while respecting environmental concerns and looking towards sustainable development, as enshrined in Articles 2 and 6 of the Treaty on European Union.
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ISBN 92-894-0319-5
Katalognummer KO-35-01-045-EN-C
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ISSN ISBN 92-894-0319-5 DOI Katalognummer KO-35-01-045-EN-C
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