Brussels, 10 September 2015
114 th PLENARY SESSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
TUESDAY 13 AND WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2015
ITEM 2 – APPENDIX 2
MINUTES OF THE 113th PLENARY SESSION
OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
STATEMENT BY MAROŠ ŠEFČOVIČ,
VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
COR-2015-3206-01-00-PV-REF
…/…
EN

- 1 -
Statement by Maroš Šefčovič,
Vice-president of the European Commission
The president of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Markku Markkula , welcomed the vice-president of the European Commission in charge of the Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, and underlined the importance of the role of local and regional authorities in achieving the Energy Union, including in research and development. He also stressed the need for improved financing conditions for local and regional projects.
Mr Šefčovič stressed the fact that the Energy Union should be supported by cities and regions, which should feel they have ownership of this project. He emphasised that in order to achieve a secure, competitive and sustainable energy market, the EU needed to base it on solidarity among Member
States, diversifying the sources and suppliers, and also on negotiating future energy contracts more effectively. He also referred to other steps to be taken, such as ensuring energy efficiency, decarbonising the economy and leading the global energy transition through research and innovation.
Mr Šefčovič pointed out that local authorities should have a major role in decentralising energy production, turning consumers into prosumers, promoting energy efficiency and encouraging crossborder cooperation.
He also mentioned that the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) would be instrumental in building the Energy Union, focusing on strategic infrastructure in energy and transport, as well as energy efficiency. Further to energy security, Mr Šefčovič explained that the risks could be reduced by diversifying sources, suppliers and routes, and via investments for interconnecting the Member
States.
Pascal Mangin (FR/EPP) underlined the strategic importance of connecting gas and electricity across the EU and called for the development of regulatory and legislative frameworks capable of promoting interaction between distribution networks, especially in cross-border areas. He also urged addressing the issue of energy insecurity.
Benedetta Brighenti (IT/PES) emphasised the relevance of energy for the well-being of citizens and for growth. She stressed the need for a transition to a sustainable energy mix which should be much more decentralised. Finally, she urged the Commission to provide better protection for vulnerable consumers.
Jens Bo Ive (DK/ALDE) noted that there was a fundamental need for removing the obstacles to the energy market and expressed his concern about the EU's energy dependence.
Andrew Varah Cooper (UK/EA) stressed that energy security would only be achieved through serious investment in energy efficiency and a massive scaling up of renewable energy. He pointed out the importance of affordable energy, especially for disadvantaged people.
COR-2015-3206-01-00-PV-REF
…/…

- 2 -
Oldřich Vlasák (CZ/ECR) called for a greater focus on innovation and technologies that would reduce the negative environmental impact of traditional sources and ensure the availability of energy in the future.
Marek Woźniak (PL/EPP) pointed to the need for focusing on reducing import dependency at a time when many EU regions faced significant political pressure.
Mr Šefčovič said that because of barriers and different regulations, the potential of the EU market was not being properly exploited. He agreed on the importance of new smart technologies and renewable energy, and focused on possible measures for reducing energy poverty. He explained that consumers should become prosumers, producing their own energy and selling it and emphasised that a change of mind-set in Member States was needed, in order to tackle energy issues at European level.
Finally, he underlined the importance of building a cross-border energy infrastructure through collaboration with representatives of regions and local authorities.
*****************
COR-2015-3206-01-00-PV-REF