US and EU should help Moldova and Ukraine enhance their energy security - Josep Borrell.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission wrote about this in his blog. He noted that the parties within the framework of the EU-US Energy Council, which will be held on Monday in Washington, will discuss ways to boost transatlantic energy security, increase the energy stability of Moldova and Ukraine and prevent the use of energy as a geopolitical weapon. “Together with the US, we oppose the use of energy supply as a weapon and geopolitical lever. We are committed to ensure the energy security of the EU and our neighbours, including Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans,” Josep Borrell stressed. He also stressed that together the EU and the US can effectively address short-term energy security issues, while moving towards a common strategic goal of developing a zero-emission economy and significantly reducing dependence on carbon fuels. According to Borrell, the most acute problem in the short term is the security of gas supplies. This means the need for the European side to work more on diversifying sources and ways of supplying gas. He stressed that the US is already the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU market, and this cooperation is actively developing. Beyond the US, the EU is negotiating an increase in LNG supplies with Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Algeria and other countries to increase supplies, while working to increase the EU's own capacity to absorb and use this energy resource efficiently. Borrell said that such cooperation between the EU and potential LNG suppliers should not be limited to short-term tasks of supplying gas to the European market, but should be aimed at a more distant strategic perspective of moving towards cooperation in the production and use of renewable energy sources like hydrogen and solar energy. “While we seek to address the EU’s own energy and climate goals and enhance our resilience, we must do the same for Ukraine. In terms of energy security, Ukraine today is already better prepared for any conflict. As in the rest of Europe, true energy security can however only come through more investment in domestic renewables and better connections with the EU market,” said Borrell. // 07.02.2022 - InfoMarket
