Poland pushing for EU energy union

PM Ewa Kopacz and Economy Minister Janusz Piechociński met with Maroš Šefčovič, Deputy President of the European Commission, to discuss plans for an energy union.

An EU-wide energy union is thought to be a solution to Europe’s vulnerability to Russian gas supplies, as well as reducing gas prices by increasing Europe’s negotiating powers.

The concept was given a boost following the appointment of Donald Tusk, former Prime Minister of Poland and an advocate of an energy union, as President of the European Council in late 2014.

According to the EC, plans concerning an energy union will be presented by the end of February.

Šefčovič told journalists that “it will be a very detailed plan of action covering the entire term of office of the Commission [to 2019].”

However the Commissioner admitted that there is currently no unanimous agreement between Western European countries and those of Central and Eastern Europe due to the potential economic repercussions of an energy union.

Šefčovič said that Western European countries do not wish to compromise the principle of free markets, whereas countries such as Poland “have their experiences and have more than once found themselves in a difficult situation.”

He added that any energy union plans must be “fully in accordance with both EU law and our international obligations.”

Meanwhile Poland's Piechociński pointed out that the country is among the more vulnerable nations of the EU in terms of energy imports, saying that “the more links we have between the countries [of the EU], the greater is our strength in the event of a crisis situation.”

The deputy PM also noted that Poland has invested in gas links which allow imports of up to five billion cubic metres of gas a year from countries other than Russia.

He commented “we are importing ever greater quantities of gas from the West and at better prices than those offered by the East.”