Promoting the external dimension of trans-European energy networks The European Commission has, on the initiative of Mr. Christos Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for energy, adopted a communication on the external dimension of the trans-European energy networks. In the communication, the Commission commits itself to making use of the ava... The European Commission has, on the initiative of Mr. Christos Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for energy, adopted a communication on the external dimension of the trans-European energy networks. In the communication, the Commission commits itself to making use of the available guidelines, political and financial instruments in order to support the development of trans-European and regional energy network projects in third countries and their interconnection with the networks of the European Union. The Communication further underlines that the interconnection of energy networks on a wider scale will effectively contribute to improving the security of energy supplies, economic and social cohesion and the functioning of the internal market. It will also serve the competivity, environmental protection, enlargement and external cooperation objectives of the European Union. The aim of this communication is to analyse the main elements to be considered regarding natural gas and electricity interconnections with third countries and the development of these networks on the scale of the European continent, of the Mediterranean Basin and, where appropriate, of Central Asia and the Middle East.
