| European Union leaders have given the go-ahead | | | | integration: "I think one day when you write the |
| for a common energy policy to be drawn up. A | | | | history of European integration, we will say |
| leading goal of the summit was to define how EU | | | | energy policy for Europe was born on March 23 |
| countries can coordinate energy policy, by | | | | and 24, 2006" |
| negotiating jointly with suppliers such as Russia or | | | | Wolfgang Schussel, the Austrian chancellor, whose |
| by helping any member country suffering from a | | | | country holds the bloc's rotating presidency, said a |
| sudden supply cut-off. During the summit, | | | | lot of work remained but decisions made on |
| member states agreed on the broad principles of | | | | Thursday would lead to a total change of EU |
| a common energy policy, such as the opening of | | | | energy policy within the next decade. He said |
| markets, the improvement of energy | | | | more energy cooperation would leave it up to |
| infrastructure, a common external energy policy | | | | each national government to choose a mix of |
| and the promotion of renewable energy. | | | | energy. |
| Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European | | | | Angela Merkel told reporters the leaders had |
| Commission, said: "I'm very delighted that the | | | | chosen not to opt for a formal energy policy - |
| leaders are backing our call for an energy policy | | | | which would have meant more powers for the |
| for Europe, that it makes sense to have a | | | | European Commission - but to achieve more |
| common strategy for Europe." Barroso said he | | | | coordination "regarding security of supply or in |
| would meet the national coordinators - dubbed | | | | negotiations with our partners who provide |
| "Mr. Lisbon" - next Tuesday to discuss further | | | | energy in the shape of oil and gas." |
| steps in pushing the Lisbon strategy, which was | | | | In a conclusion issued at the end of their two-day |
| put forward in EU's Lisbon summit in 2000. | | | | summit, the EU leaders agreed to carry on with |
| Barroso told reporters that the start-up of EU | | | | the revised Lisbon strategy and stick to their |
| common energy policy was the greatest | | | | adopted national reform plans which would be |
| achievement of the gathering and would be | | | | monitored and evaluated annually by the EU |
| remembered in the history of European | | | | executive European Commission. |