Foreign Ministers Pursue Energy Diversification, Independence

By: KELLY MCCANN

The main topic of discussion among the EU Foreign Ministers at the Council Summit this year was not the economy—which was the hot issue in many of the other meetings—but rather the energy crisis currently plaguing the EU.

The Foreign Ministers met on several occasions throughout the weekend to discuss the energy crisis and the ways it should be addressed by the union in order to benefit the long term and collective goals of member states.

After three days of debating and compromising, the Foreign Ministers finally reached conclusions for the best course of action on issues such as pipeline projects for gas supplies, diversifying sources of gas, and better communication with the Ukraine and Russia.

When the meetings began on Friday, the main issue being addressed was the recent decision of Russia to cut off gas to the Ukraine, which severely affected member states such as Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.

Because several member states were directly harmed by Russia’s decision, diversifying energy sources and having oil security was a top priority for the ministers.

On Friday, crisis broke out in Ukraine, turning the ministers' attention to the heated issues there and how they would effect the EU. Discussions focused on increasing communication with Ukraine and Russia in an attempt to maintain positive relations.

When the Energy Summit ended, after much debate, input, and objections from feisty states like Cyprus and Great Britain, conclusions were drawn as to the best approach for energy concerns within the EU.

The Foreign Ministers decided to continue the presence of EU gas monitors in Ukraine, but they also determined that they should remain open to the presence of independent international organizations in order to facilitate energy delivery.

Another conclusion that was drawn on the energy front was on the topic of security.

Noting that previous crises have left many EU member states bereft of gas in the winter, the ministers suggested forming an “emergency fund,” by increasing strategic gas reserves.

The EU is funding projects to build pipelines that would diversify the sources of Europe's energy. The building of the Nabucco pipeline—although it would supply only five percent of the gas needed fuel the EU—was advocated by many states.

The Nabucco pipeline would serve as a connection for the EU to oil-rich regions such as Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caspian Sea region.

Aside from energy concerns, the Summit wrapped up with more casual and personal briefings on issues such as gay rights and the Isreali-Palestinian conflict. In an unmoderated caucus, a group discussion was held in which the Foreign Ministers shared their respective countries’ views on the issue of gay marriage, and compared it to that of America’s.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict discussion was also quite personal, with states debating their respective views as to weather the EU should remain the number one contributer to Palestinian aid, or weather it should take a bigger role in moderating the two sides. All but one member state expressed their belief that the EU should get more firmly involved in encouraging and facilitating peace talks in Israel.

The foreign ministers made full use of their time. The conclusions of this years EU Energy Summit took quite some time to assemble—some of them, including as the Nabacco pipeline decision, were not finalized until the last minute.

However, with this solid plan now devised, the Foreign Ministers are confident that the EU should be able to take smooth steps into the future and, hopefully, avoid suffering crisis in the future.