Member states’ energy deals with non-EU nations should be scrutinized by the European Commission before they are signed, according to a draft plan for the flagship Energy Union that outlines a strategy to diversify energy suppliers, writes Euractiv.com.
“Active participation” in gas negotiations could avoid “undue pressure or market distortions,” caused by inter-governmental agreements (IGAs) with “countries not respecting European rules”, the draft said. The IGAs would be assessed to ensure they comply with EU energy market and supply security rules in a “mandatory pre-consultation” with the Commission.
EU governments must currently notify the executive of IGAs that affect the internal energy market or supply security. Revisions to these 2012 rules should broaden this scope to other types of contracts, the draft said.
While some member states may bristle at a perceived Brussels power grab, the drive for “mandatory pre-consultation” stems from a series of IGAs signed by Russia and six EU countries; Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and Austria.
The secretive deals with Russian state monopoly Gazprom fell afoul of EU state aid and competition rules. These breaches froze the Russian sponsored South Stream gas pipeline, which was later cancelled by Moscow.
A Commission communication on the Energy Union is scheduled for publication on 25 February. The draft is dated 30 January, is under inter-service consultation and subject to change.
