8 March 2006

Adoption by the Commission of the GP

14 March 2006

Extraordinary Energy Council (presentation of the GP)

23-24 March 2006
Spring European Council (policy debate on the GP)

8 June 2006
Energy Council

December 2006
Energy Council (presentation of the WP)

15-16 March 2006
G8 Energy Ministerial meeting

9 June 2006
Ministerial meeting of the Energy Community Treaty (Wien)

17 November 2006
Ministerial meeting of the Energy Community Treaty (Wien)

25-26 April 2006
EU Renewables Forum (Amsterdam)

18-19 May 2006
EU Gas Regulatory Forum (Madrid)

6 June 2006
EU/OPEC dialogue

7-8 September 2006
EU Electricity Regulatory Forum (Florence)

19-20 October 2006
EU Fossil Fuels Forum (Berlin)

all during the period
EU/Russia Energy dialogue

13-14 March 2006
G8 Energy Conference

20-21 November 2006
Strategic Conference on Energy (RELEX)- Brussels, Charlemagne building

14 July 2006
Power through Energy
European Commission
Charlemagne Conference Centre, Brussels

Europe is entering a new energy landscape. Our import dependency is 50% today, and certain to rise. Our hydrocarbon reserves are running down. Energy is becoming more expensive. Our infrastructure needs improving; EUR 1000 billion is needed over the next 20 years to meet expected energy demand and replace ageing infrastructure. And global warming has already made the world 0.6°C hotter.

These challenges are common to all of Europe. They require a European response. At the end of 2005, European Heads of State and Government reunited at Hampton Court (United Kingdom) call for a true European Energy Policy.

That is why the European Commission published on 8 March 2006 a Green Paper on developing a common, coherent European Energy Policy. If the EU can take a common approach on energy, and articulate it with a common voice, Europe can lead the global energy debate. The Green Paper will help the European Union lay the foundations for secure, competitive and sustainable energy.