Work in Parliament Report on European external policy on energy sector adopted

"We need a single market and to speak with one voice", said EPP Group Rapporteur on the external policy on energy of the European Union and Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament, Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP.

Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP welcomed the outcome of the vote and said that she entirely agrees with the priorities of the external policy in the energy sector established in the Report.

The Portuguese MEP highlighted the reinforcement of the external dimension of the internal market of the energy sector; the reinforcement of partnerships for a safe, sustainable and competitive energy; the improvement of access to sustainable energies by the developing countries; and the promotion of EU policies beyond its borders.

Maria da Graça Carvalho believes that Europe should be more independent from the energy point of view, and calls for a "greater coordination in the EU in terms of energy policy. The EU will have a strong position in the negotiations with third countries if it speaks with one voice."

"The percentage of imported energy into the EU is still increasing. Therefore, we need to promote the interests of the European Union in the relations not only with transit countries but also with energy-producing countries", continued Mrs Carvalho.

The European Commission Communication proposes to reinforce the external dimension of the EU energy policy. This reinforcement is made by increasing transparency between Member States on their energy agreements with third countries. The document also proposes to reinforce the coordination in the relations with the partner countries in the policy-making process in international organisations and in the development of general energy partnerships with the main partner countries.

Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP also defends the reinforcement of EU relations in the energy sector with the South Atlantic region, especially with Angola and Brazil.