scholarly journals Five Years of the EU Energy Union: Myth or Reality?

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-199
Author(s):  
Olga Yudina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Management System ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
External Energy ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
The Eu

The article analyzes the results of the EU Energy Union activities from 2015 to 2019 and its contribution to the shaping of the European Union common energy policy. The significance of the activities of the EU Energy Union in promoting a common energy policy is considered in three dimensions: external, internal and in the field of establishing a management system. The author notes a huge increase in the influence of the European Commission on the formation of EU common energy policy, the existence of contradictions between the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty and the actual powers of the European Commission in terms of energy, as well as the continuing dichotomy among the EU member states on the issue of energy communitarisation. It is indicated that the establishment of a clear and predictable management system for the EU Energy Union made a significant contribution to the strengthening of European Commission‟s energy authority. Concluding that the European Commission is doing its best in the formation of a common external energy policy, the author draws attention to the potential internal and external difficulties that the European Commission faces in pursuing a policy aimed at strengthening its powers in the energy field.

scholarly journals Forming the European Union Common External Energy Policy: Key Events and Results

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
O. Yudina
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
The European Union ◽  
External Energy ◽  
Member States ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
Energy Community ◽  
The Eu

Received 08.05.2020. Energy has always been of particular importance to the European Union. Meanwhile, up to the beginning of the 21st century, this area had been in exclusive competence of member states, with timid attempts of the European Commission (EC) to receive part of the powers in the energy sphere. The article is devoted to the issues of the EU common external energy policy development that was accompanied by a dichotomy of interests between the member-states, which hardly like the idea of the energy sector communitarisation, and the European Commission, which has been the main driver of supranationalisation of the energy sphere for a long period of time. The author characterizes the main achievements towards the EU common external energy policy, including the law regarding the export of energy to neighboring non-member countries through various organizations, such as the Energy Community, the Eastern Partnership, MEDREG, and launching of the European Energy Union (EEU) in 2015. Special attention is paid to external factors that facilitated the enhancement of the European Commission’s role in the energy sphere. The new era for the EU common external energy policy started in 2015 with the EEU and energy security as one of its priority, partly due to the gas crises and political tension between the European Union and Russia. It is noted that the EEU has facilitated the adoption of some EC’s legal proposals that could not be adopted for a long time, such as the mechanism of consultations on new intergovernmental contracts. In general, the creation of the Energy Union should certainly be seen as strengthening the supranational energy competences of the European Commission. It is concluded that the European Commission has made a significant progress towards a common external energy policy, strongly supported by the public opinion that the European Union should speak one voice with third countries. Despite the lack of legally supported competencies in energy for the EC, it gained authority in different directions of the EU energy policy development. Under these circumstances, the common energy market that has led to energy interdependent of the member states, forces them to cooperate at a supranational level. The author argues that third countries should clearly understand the dynamic and processes of communitarisation of the energy sphere and adopt their cooperation with the European Union based on this knowledge.

scholarly journals Energy Policy and European Union Politics

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Herranz-Surrallés
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
New Governance ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Policy Domain ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
European Energy Policy ◽  
The Eu

Energy policy has been considered as a “special case of Europeanization,” due to its tardy and patchy development as a domain of EU activity as well as its important but highly contested external dimension. Divergent energy pathways across Member States and the sensitivity of this policy domain have militated against a unified European Energy Policy. And yet, since the mid-2000s cooperation in this policy area has picked up speed, leading to the adoption of the Energy Union, presented by the European Commission as the most ambitious energy initiative since the European Coal and Steel Community. This dynamism has attracted growing scholarly attention, seeking to determine whether, why and how European Energy Policy has consolidated against all odds during a particularly critical moment for European integration. The underlying question that emerges in this context is whether the Energy Union represents a step forward towards a more homogenous and joined-up energy policy or, rather a strategy to manage heterogeneity through greater flexibility and differentiated integration. Given the multilevel and multisectoral characteristics of energy policy, answering these questions requires a three-fold analysis of (1) the degree of centralization of European Energy Policy (vertical integration), (2) the coherence between energy sub-sectors (cross-sectoral integration), and (3) the territorial extension of the energy acquis beyond the EU Member States (horizontal integration). Taken together, the Energy Union has catalyzed integration on the three dimensions. First, EU institutions are formally involved in almost every aspect of energy policy, including sensitive areas such as ensuring energy supplies. Second, the Energy Union, with its new governance regulation, brings under one policy framework energy sub-sectors that had developed in silos. And finally, energy policy is the only sector that has generated a multilateral process dedicated to the integration of non-members into the EU energy market. However, this integrationist dynamic has also been accompanied by an increase in internal and external differentiation. Although structural forms of differentiation based on sectoral opt-outs and enhanced cooperation have been averted, European Energy Policy is an example of so-called “micro-differentiation,” characterized by flexible implementation, soft governance and tailor-made exemptions and derogations.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXTERNAL ENERGY POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

2013 ◽  
pp. 82-91
Author(s):  
N. Y. Kaveshnikov
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Energy Market ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Regulatory Activity ◽  
External Energy ◽  
Regulatory Measures ◽  
The Eu

The article analyses development of external energy policy of the European Union (EU). In spite of the Lisbon treaty didn’t substantially expend EU powers in external energy policy, European Commission (EC) became more active in recent years. Decision on exchange of information about bilateral energy agreements between Member States (MSs) and third countries may deprive producers of opportunity to differentiate terms of infrastructure projects and energy supply in different MSs. European Commission participation in MSs negotiations with third countries as a guardian of energy market provisions will inevitably increase negotiation power of MSs. Nevertheless, only smooth and modest extension of powers of the EC would be possible because of opposition of numerous countries which makes a search of consensus very difficult. Among priority activities of the EU external energy policy one could identify ‘export’ of energy market provisions in neighbor countries; diversification of suppliers and prioritization of politically selected supply routes; dramatic increase of regulatory activity at EU level. All these activities are partially successful, but they all have some shortages. Several EU legislative and regulatory measures risk to run counter to existing obligations of MSs.

The Southern Gas Corridor infrastructure project – implications for the energy security of the European Union

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 79-99
Author(s):  
Justyna Misiągiewicz
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Caspian Region ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Infrastructure Project ◽  
The Eu

Nowadays, energy security is a growing concern in state foreignpolicy. Interdependency in the energy field is a very important dimensionof contemporary relations between states and transnational corporations.Energy security is becoming a key issue for the European Union (EU). TheUnion is one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets and the biggestimporter of energy resources. For the foreseeable future, Europe’s energydependence will probably increase. Facing a shortage of energy, Europe isdependent on imports and the EU member states need to diversify their energysupplies. The Caspian region contains some of the largest undevelopedoil and gas reserves in the world. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, thenewly independent Caspian states became open to foreign investment. Thegrowing energy needs have given the EU a strong interest in developing tieswith energy-producing states in the Caspian region to build the necessarypipeline infrastructure. In this analysis, the pipeline infrastructure that exists orwill be built in the near future will be presented. The analysis will concentrateon routes transporting gas from the Caspian region and the most importantproblems and solutions in designing the midstream energy system in the region.The key aim of the article is to analyse the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC)infrastructure project, which will inevitably contribute to the EU’s energy securityinterest.

scholarly journals Determinants of the EU Citizens’ Attitudes towards the European Energy Union Priorities

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5237
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Janik ◽  
Adam Ryszko ◽  
Marek Szafraniec
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
Citizens Attitudes ◽  
The Eu

The European Union has adopted very ambitious climate and energy goals for the coming years. The key prerequisite to successfully achieve these goals seems to be extensive support and adequate commitment of the member states and their citizens to the implementation of the clean energy transition and climate neutrality measures. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive analysis aiming to identify the factors determining the EU citizens’ attitudes towards the European Energy Union priorities. The analysis was based on representative data obtained from residents of twenty-seven EU countries using a Eurobarometer survey. The collected data were subjected to a comparative analysis and binary logistic regression. The research results demonstrated that the support for specific energy policy priorities varies significantly depending on different perceptions of the EU citizens and was affected by a number of demographic variables. It was indicated that perceiving the environment, climate and energy as the most important issues from the perspective of an individual, a country and the EU significantly affects attitudes towards energy policy priorities. However, this mostly concerned the awareness of the importance of these issues at the EU level. Individuals who supported a common energy policy among the EU member states were more likely to point to green energy priorities, whereas guaranteeing low energy prices for companies and consumers seemed less important for them. It was remarkable that the reduction of energy consumption was indicated as an energy policy priority by respondents expecting both more and less decision-making at the European level in the field of environmental protection. People with a right-wing orientation were the most likely to support the competitiveness of the EU’s industry, while individuals with a leftist ideology showed the strongest tendency to opt for environmental protection. Furthermore, gender, occupation and the place and country of residence emerged as very important determinants of attitudes towards the European Energy Union priorities, whereas age and the educational level were predictors in very few cases only.

scholarly journals The Pact on Migration and Asylum as a the foundation of the new migration policy of the European Union

2021 ◽  
pp. 70-82
Author(s):  
Andrew Vyacheslavovich Rybakov
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Migration Policy ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Effective System ◽  
Significant Step ◽  
The Eu

The relevance of the selected topic is substantiated by the fact that in modern world migration has become a significant factor in the development of both accepting countries and countries of origin. Europe hosts the largest number of migrants. Since 2015, the EU member-states have been experiencing strong migration pressure. The existing migration stands in need for reform. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum should be a significant step towards creating a reliable and effective system for regulation of migration. The subject of this research is the institutional and legal characteristics of the EU New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The article analyzes the proposals of the European Commission regarding the migration policy reform, as well as the political-legal mechanism for their implementation; contradictions between the member-states in the course of the relevant discussions. The following conclusions are made: 1) It must be admitted that the new approach of the European Commission is comprehensive and aimed at integration of the internal and external aspects of migration policy. 2) The structure of the Pact corresponds to the goals of migration policy and consists on three levels – external, namely relations with the countries of origin and transit of migrants; control over the external borders of the EU; a new system of permanent solidarity. 3) As an annex to the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the European Commission has presented a roadmap for implementation of various proposals. However, by the end of 2021, the schedule for the adoption of legal documents is not being maintained. 4) The only common denominator between the different groups of countries is the orientation towards external actions aimed at curbing migration movements prior to their arrival to Europe. 5) The plan of the European Commission on adoption of rules obligatory for all member-states currently seems untenable, considering the clashing interests.

scholarly journals Enhancing Civilisational Dialogue between Malaysia and the European Union

ICR Journal ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-189
Author(s):  
Christoph Marcinkowski
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Business Community ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Preferential Treatment ◽  
Trade Surplus ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Important Trading Partner ◽  
The Eu

Cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Malaysia started with the 1980 European Commission-ASEAN Agreement which has made it possible for Malaysia to benefit from a number of ASEAN and Asia-wide cooperation programmes. The EU Delegation to Malaysia was opened in 2003 and since then dialogue, policy interaction and cooperation with both federal and state authorities, the Malaysian and EU business community as well as the civil society has increased progressively. Moreover, Malaysia is also the EU’s second most important trading partner in ASEAN. No bilateral preferential trade arrangements exist between Malaysia and the EU, but under the new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), in force since January 2006, the share of Malaysia’s merchandise exports to the EU eligible for preferential treatment rose from 16 per cent to 81 per cent. Over 70 per cent of Malaysia’s exports to the EU now enter duty-free. Malaysia records a trade surplus with most EU Member States.

scholarly journals Positioning of the concept of corporate restructuring in the EU member-states and its approval by the auditor

2021 ◽  
pp. 131-151
Author(s):  
Olga Nikolaevna Sinkina
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Corporate Management ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Eu

The object of this research is the concept of restructuring, which in the conditions of crisis in the European Union is positioned as an instrument for its overcoming and the procedure for its verification by the auditor. The subject of this research is a range of question associated on the peculiarities of positioning of the concept of restructuring in the EU. The article analyzes the criteria for insolvency and tests for the presence of the signs of insolvency according to the national legislation of the EU jurisdiction based on the typical crisis process. The author introduces the definition of the concept of restructuring, its framework and elements. The recommendations of the European Commission on overcoming crisis situations and insolvency of companies are provided; the principles of preventive concept of restructuring are analyzed; the auditor’s procedures pertaining to the concept of restructuring are formulated. The research methodology relies on the fundamental provisions presented in the works of foreign scholars. The main conclusions are as follows: the responsibility of the corporate management in a number of EU member-states includes verification of compliance with the established criteria of insolvency on the regular basis; for this, it is necessary to submit the report to regulatory authorities on the current state of the company and decision on overcoming the crisis, usually in the form of the concept of restructuring approved by the auditor. The scientific novelty of this research consists in: 1) generalization of legal regulation of the criteria of insolvency in the EU member-states, tests for the presence of the signs of insolvency, responsibility of corporate management, outline of the restructuring plan; 2) positioning of the concept of restructuring, formulation of definition of the concept of restructuring, its framework and elements; 3) analysis of the principles of the preventive concept of restructuring of the European Commission; 4) development of audit procedures concerning the concept of restructuring.

scholarly journals EU Agencies and the Energy Union: Providing Useful Information to the Commission?

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
Torbjørg Jevnaker ◽  
Barbara Saerbeck
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Studies ◽  
Eu Legislation ◽  
Energy Union ◽  
European Environmental Agency ◽  
Commission President ◽  
Environmental Agency ◽  
The Eu

The development of the energy policy of the European Union (EU) has been accompanied by organizational reforms of the EU’s energy bureaucracy. Much attention has been paid to Commission President Juncker’s reorganization of the European Commission, including how this has influenced the Energy Union initiative. The establishment of EU agencies has also expanded the EU administration and the capacity for developing new initiatives and coordinating implementation of EU legislation. However, recent research has not been sufficiently connected to policy studies on energy, climate and environment. This article analyses the extent to which two EU agencies—the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, and the European Environmental Agency—augment the policymaking capacity of the Commission by providing information that aids its work. The article ends with a discussion of the potential implications of agencification.

scholarly journals The EU and Southern Cross: The effects of EU energy policy on EU-Australia energy trade

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Policy Formation ◽  
Lisbon Treaty ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Energy Trade ◽  
Eu Project ◽  
The Eu

The Lisbon Treaty which entered into force in 2009 was a major event in the ongoing evolution of the European Union (EU) project. However, despite important changes, energy policy formation remains muddled and continues to be area of contest between the EU and its Member States. This in turn means that trade dynamics with important energy providers such as Australia become affected by the internal dynamics concerning energy policy within the EU. Complicating this further is the advancement of climate change mitigation as a major policy issue also has wide ranging implications.The article argues that despite the Lisbon Treaty providing a legal basis for formulating energy policy through the application of shared competences, it does not exercise any substantive direct influence on national or trade-related issues surrounding energy. Instead of the EU exercising relative control, trade in energy resources is still conducted largely on a bilateral basis with EU Member States continuing to determine the primary aspects of their energy policy. As such, the greatest impact the EU has on Member State-Australia’s energy trade is indirect, through binding policy initiatives originally negotiated by the Member States.

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