Darling calls for unified European energy policy

15 May 2007

Delivering the keynote address at the New Politics of Energy Conference at Chatham House, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alistair Darling underlined the need for a unified approach toward European energy policy. The issue of sustainability and the fight against climate change featured highly in the minister's speech. Mr Darling called for a common approach among European governments towards energy because 'climate change knows no boundaries'.

With energy supplies becoming an increasingly politicised issue in Europe Mr Darling also argued that whilst Europe must welcome foreign investment in its energy markets, those investors must play by the rules: 'Energy supplies should not be used for political leverage. '

Speaking about the secure and stable supply of energy to Europe the Minister of State highlighted the ever growing competition for resources, citing the UK's declining energy reserves and the fact that a third of UK power stations will actually come offline in the next 15 to 20 years. On this issue Mr Darling reiterated the central role the EU can play in the UK's energy security and the need for the country to work closely with Europe to secure long-term supplies. The EU, Mr Darling commented, 'can be more influential than any one country on its own. Equally important is multilateral action through the WTO…'

Finally Mr Darling outlined the four objectives which drive energy policy that he believes can be good for the UK and for Europe: 'open, competitive energy markets; action to put value on carbon emissions; investment in low carbon technologies; and improving overall energy efficiency.

For further media enquiries please contact:
Sam Hardy
Chatham House Press Office
+44 (0) 20 7957 5739
+44 (0) 7946 642 205

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