Energy & transport international relations

Energy is vital for economic development. Ensuring security of energy supply, developing competitive markets and meeting the environmental challenges are at the top of the EU and US political agendas.

The EU and the US have agreed to develop a strategic cooperation on energy and energy security, presented in a joint declaration at the EU-US Vienna Presidential Summit on 21st June 2006. This cooperation will contribute to increased regional stability, greater security of supply and finally, new business opportunities. The dialogue with the US is part of the EU external policy to serve Europe’s energy interests.

EU Energy Policy is reflected in the Commission’s Green Paper on 8th March 2006 : “A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy”. It aims to meet three core objectives: sustainable development, competitiveness, and security of supply.

Achieving the EU goals requires a combination of internal and external policies. The EU believes in the need for a global approach to the new energy era. Thus, dialogue at bilateral, multilateral and regional level with strategic partners is essential.

President Barroso Speech at Georgetown University, Washington on the 9th of February 2006:
“Speaking with a common voice”
Energy fact sheet Vienna Summit 2006
2006 Progress Report on the Economic Initiative

As part of the energy cooperation, the EU and the US have initialled a new Energy Star EU-US Agreement on the coordination of energy-efficient labelling programs for office equipment. Energy Star is part of the Community strategy to better manage energy demand, contribute to security of energy supply and mitigate climate change.

At the June 2006 Vienna Summit, the EU and the US presented a joint declaration to strengthen their strategic partnership. They agreed strategic cooperation on energy. Regarding transport, they will pursue dialogue on border and transportation security. They agreed to redouble efforts to conclude a first stage air transport agreement and also to enhance cooperation on the legal framework governing the transfer of air passengers’ data.

At the April 2007 Summit in Washington a new energy declaration was approved, setting the priorities for the future cooperation on energy.

Further enhancing the transatlantic cooperation on energy issues, the European Commission has recently joined the Methane-to-Markets Partnership, a public-private partnership that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the cost-effective, near-term recovery and use of methane. The Commission's membership will provide more than 50 years of European Union experience in targeting methane emissions from coal mines.

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