It seems to me surprising that, at the same time, in advance of the conference of governments in 1996, there is lively debate on the introduction of an energy chapter in the EU treaty. Does this mean that the Community has taken all of the above initiatives without legitimization by the Treaties. However, a diametrical difference in the energy policies of the individual countries emerges from the debate. We see no need for sector-specific regulations and think that the Treaty provides an appropriate legal framework for the energy economy, characterized by competition and free trade in goods and services. The energy policy of the Community should continue to be based on the overall framework that was created for the European Union.
Energy policy is economic policy whenever energy supplies at acceptable prices are at issue.
Energy policy is also environmental protection policy when the impacts of energy supplies on the environment are to be minimized. Energy policy must thus serve the other goals of the Treaty, not the other way around. But this is not the universal attitude. A large number of Member States are calling for the Treaty to include specific rules for energy supplies. Behind this is the concern that EC law, which is based on the competitive principle, could endanger the energy supply within the European Union.