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Gas security of the European Union has reached a critical level. By 2025, its gas imports, which currently represent 60% of its consumption, may increase significantly and reach a figure close to 80%.

Supply disruptions are certainly exceptional events, but the dependence on gas lies elsewhere: it is in the minds and provides a point of weakness, malaise lasting generator and differences of opinion between Member States, which find their roots in the historical references of each. The concern is not so much the weight of Russia in supplying Europe - only a quarter, with a suitably diverse range of suppliers - the economic and social difficulties that would arise from a prolonged outage.

The economic recession, the development of unconventional gas resources have recently led to an easing of the market. But this respite should not be misled. The newly installed European Commission will therefore be to seek consensus among the 27 Member States, balancing the expectations of different countries of eastern and western. It will need also to define a policy to ensure the long-term gas security of the Union. As part of the fight against climate change, this policy should lead to reduce gas consumption in the EU and enable it to move from a dependence of its main suppliers to building mutually beneficial interdependence strategic partnerships with them win / win in the long run. It is essential that the EU speaks with one voice, especially in times of crisis, as she was able to do during the Georgian crisis. It is still necessary, however it can rely on policy instruments effective and credible: beyond the measures envisaged by the Commission in summer 2009, the establishment of strategic partnerships with producing countries, the setting establishment of European approvals for the supplier of gas similar rules relating to gas safety issues (stock, building infrastructure, etc..) and the establishment of a Central European gas purchase authorizing construction new access roads, would be a first step.

New perspectives for gas security. Six goals and can be fixed:

•   Periodically review the needs in a transparent gas . Reverse the trend of increasing gas consumption: save gas in the heat of uses in industry and building (target already endorsed); rehabilitate the use of nuclear power for electricity generation, frame or limit the use (not only oil and coal but also) of gas in electricity production in mid-merit or base, where everything is done.
•   Build the infrastructure investments of European solidarity : cross-border interconnections, LNG terminals
•   Providing the means to partner with three energy-producing regions around Europe : Russia and North Africa as a first step, the Middle East later.
•   Develop partnerships between operators of the upstream and downstream
•   Organize the implementation and coordination of European stocks around a multi-year program gradually extending the duration of national stocks. Establish minimum standards for security of supply for supply licenses.
•   Organize a purchasing gas by allowing European gas companies to come together to negotiate with supplier countries and develop infrastructure security

Press contact:

Jean-Michel ROULLE
Head of communications
jean-michel.roulle@strategie.gouv.fr
Tel. 01 42 75 61 37