Energy Council - 27 May 1997
The Council of Energy Ministers met in Brussels on 27 May 1997. Discussions centred on major policy initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of energy use. Ministers also discussed the proposed Directive on the liberalization of the internal market for gas, which would follow a similar Directive for the electricity sector agreed in 1996. Substantive discussions were held in a number of areas, with delegations agreeing that an integrated approach should be taken, rather than settling each area individually. Although political agreement was not reached at the meeting, Ministers instructed their representatives to continue working towards agreement, with the possibility of holding an extraordinary Council before the end of June to finalize a deal. The Council adopted a resolution on a strategy for renewable energy sources, which confirms their importance in the balance of energy sources and as a contribution to the overall targets set for the energy sector, in areas such as the environment, competitiveness and quality of life. The resolution calls for the adoption, at Community and national level, of medium and long-term targets for increased market share of renewables. Ministers called for an active policy on renewables at Member State, and where appropriate Community, level in areas such as research and development, market conditions, consumer awareness and coordination and monitoring. Conclusions were adopted on climate change and energy policy, in view of the forthcoming international conference on climate change to be held in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997. The conclusions acknowledge the need to take major policy initiatives to meet the targets set for reducing CO2 emissions, and call on the Commission to continue developing the necessary measures at Community level to achieve the reduction targets. In addition, the Council agreed to contribute to meeting targets by considering action in the following areas: renewable energy sources; energy efficiency; long-term agreements with industry; and initiatives from the electricity industry. The Council also formally concluded the European Energy Charter on behalf of the Community. It may be recalled that the European Parliament had approved its conclusion in February 1997. The Charter aims to facilitate energy cooperation between countries in Western and Eastern Europe, and was agreed in 1994. The Community will deposit its instruments of ratification at the same time as the Member States, of which ten have already ratified the Treaty. The deposit of these instruments will take place before the end of 1997, probably in the autumn.