G7 states are committed to make a priority from strengthening energy security, mainly through diversification of supply sources.

“The use of energy supplies as a means of political coercion or as a threat to security is unacceptable,” reads a draft of the final declaration G7 summit in Brussels, obtained by AFP.

Ukraine crisis pushes the diversification of energy supply and energy infrastructure modernization up G7 agenda

Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, the West denounces the use of Russia’s gas supply as a means of pressure on Ukraine, and the European countries.

“The crisis in Ukraine makes plain that energy security must be at the center of our collective agenda and require a radical change in order to diversify energy supplies and updating the energy infrastructure,” adds G7 leaders. The G-7 leaders gathered in the Belgian capital after suspending the G-8 framework in March in protest at Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region.

After the G7 Energy Ministers meeting held in Rome in early May, G7 leaders now pledge to get involved to “complement the efforts of the European Commission to develop energy emergency plans at regional level for the winter of 2014-2015.”

Support for supply diversification

Also, G7 leaders pledge to help Ukraine and other European countries on technical and financial plan “to develop hydrocarbon resources and local renewable energy to improve energy efficiency”.

In addition, the G7 ask the International Energy Agency that, , together with the European Commission, “to submit by the end of the year an evaluation on the options for individual and collective actions G7 has in securing natural gas supply”.