Amended proposal for a Council Decision concerning the organisation of cooperation around agreed Community energy objectives
Date: 1997-08-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU policy, approximation of policies, cooperation policy, energy policy, single market

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 26.08.1997 
COMC97) 436  final 

96/0218  (CNS ) 

Amended proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

CONCERNING THE ORGANISATION OF 
COOPERATION AROUND AGREED COMMUNITY ENERGY 
OBJECTIVES 

(presented by the Commission  pursuant to Article  189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

Subject: 

Amended Proposal for a Council Decision: The organisation  of the 
co-operation around agreed Community energy objectives. 
COM(96)0431 - 96/0218(CNS) 

Legal base:  Art 130.3 

The  above-mentioned  draft  Council  Decision  was  approved  by  the  Commission  on 
4 October  1996 and published  in the Official  Journal No  C. 27/9  of 28 January  1997. 
The Committee on Research,  Technological Development  and Energy  (CERT)  of the 
European  Parliament  appointed  Mr  U  Stockmann  as  Rapporteur.  After  having 
received  the  advice  of  the  Committee  on  Legal  Affairs  and  Citizen's  rights  and  the 
Committee  on  Economic  and  Monetary  Affairs  and  Industrial  Policy,  the  CERT 
approved,  in April  1997, the Stockmann  report.  A plenary debate  and vote took  place 
in Strasbourg on  15 May 1997. 

At this debate Commissioner Papoutsis: 

- accepted the amendments N°s 2, 3, 12, 5, 8, part  1, and 3 of 11 and  15; 
- proposed a compromise for the first part of amendment 6; 
- rejected  amendments 4, 7, 9, and the second and the fourth  part of  11. 

Reasons why the following  amendments were acceptable. 

Amendment 2. 6th whereas clause 
The Parliament  added  "whereas they will  concentrate  on increasing  efficiency  and  on 
renewable  energy  sources  and, in the case of nuclear technologies,  on  safe  techniques 
for final storage". 
It  does  not  prejudge  the  use  of  R&D  funds.  The 
This  amendment  is  acceptable. 
precise  R&D  priorities  will,  of  course,  be  established  in  the  discussion  on  the  5th 
Framework programme. 

Amendment 3. Article 1 
The Parliament added 
-  "avoiding  surplus  capacity",  this  amendment  is acceptable.  It  avoids  dumping  into 
other markets; 
-  "securing  initiatives,  including  those  taken  at  national  level,  which  are  designed  to 
promote and  develop  sustainable  energy technologies", this amendment  is acceptable. 
We should welcome any initiative to promote the introduction  of renewables, which is 
an agreed objective of Community energy policy; 
- "reducing energy consumption" this amendment is acceptable.  It is coherent with all 
the principal objectives of Community energy policy. 

Amendment 12. Article 2 paragraph 2. new point 
-  "the  development  and  rapid  introduction  of  a  taxation  or  incentive  system 
commensurate  with  sustainable  energy  policy  objectives", 
is 
this  amendment 
acceptable.  Such systems can contribute to the realisation of our energy objectives. 

Z, 

Amendment  5. Article  2 paragraph  2 
Adding: 
- " In the framework of its responsibilities under the Treaty, and in compliance with the 
principle  of  subsidiarity,  the  Commission  will  propose  specific  Community  actions 
and/or  programmes  to  attain the  agreed  energy  policy  objectives  listed  in the  Annex"; 
this is acceptable.  It confirms the active role of the Commission in energy policy. 

Amendment  6. Article  3 paragraph  2 
For  the  first  amendment,  a  compromise  was  proposed  by  adding  after  'where 
appropriate':  "but  at  least  every  two  years",  which  assures  regularity,  but  leaves 
flexibility  for earlier reporting if the situation gives reason for this.  This compromise  is 
acceptable. 
The proposed second amendment 
-  " The  report  shall  also  contain  a  comparative  presentation  of  whether  and  to  what 
extent the Member  States have made progress  towards  the  achievement  of the  agreed 
energy policy objectives", is just a clarification  of an essential  element of the report. 

Amendment  8.  first part  annex point  3 
The Parliament deleted 
- " undistorted prices" and added: 
-  "taking  into  account  the  goal  of  environmentally  sustainable  development  -  operate 
on the basis of fair competition", this is acceptable.  It underlines competition  as a base 
for  pricing.  Furthermore,  it  gives  the  possibility  to  promote  environment  friendly 
energies. 

Amendment  15. first part.  Annex, point  6 
The Parliament added: 
-  "using  the  best  possible  environmentally  acceptable  technologies",  which 
is 
acceptable.  This  amendment  opens  the  possibility  for  a  European  contribution  to 
global environment problems. 

Amendment  11. Annex, paragraph  after point  8.  hyphens 
Two of the four amendments were acceptable. 
The Parliament added: 
-  "harmonisation  of  framework  conditions",  which  supports  the  objective  of  fair 
competitiveness and avoids distorted situations in the Member States; 

to the 5th hyphen: 
-  "the fiscal and environmental  instruments", which  is broader than the  fiscal  structure 
and therefore limits the possibility for distortions. 

3 

The following  amendments were rejected. 

Amendment  4 (Creation European Climate Change Agency)  was not  acceptable  seeing 
the substantial political  and institutional  consequences. 

Amendment  7.  would  make  one  (environment  protection)  out  of  the  three  principal 
objectives  the  "Primus  inter  pares",  while  the  others  (competitiveness  and  security  of 
supply)  are  equally  important.  It  would  change  the  balance  among  the  energy  policy 
objectives. 

Amendment  9 , which proposed to "develop a standardised calculation method" for the 
internalisation  of  external  costs,  is  not  acceptable.  It  is  too  premature  to  develop  a 
standardised method. 

Amendment  11.  second  part  (introduction  of  an  energy  consumption  taxation)  was 
rejected.  The  Commission  recently  proposed  a general  taxation  on  energy  products. 
It  is  preferred  to  wait  the  results  of  the  discussion  in  Council  and  Parliament  before 
introducing another taxation. 

Amendment  11.  fourth  part  -  "formulation  and  acceptance  of  a  chapter  in  the  EU 
Treaty  devoted  to  energy  requiring  sustainability,  energy  efficiency,  conservation  of 
resources  and  preservation  of  the  environment",  which  is  an  amendment  which 
supports the efforts to get  an energy chapter in the Treaty of Amsterdam. 
Although  Commissioner  Papoutsis  welcomed  this  amendment  during  his  reaction  at 
the Plenary  Session  of  the  Parliament,  it  lost  its validity  considering  the  results  of  the 
Inter-Governmental  Conference  of Amsterdam. 

V 

Amended Proposal For a Council Decision 

Concerning 
the Organisation of Cooperation Around Agreed Community Energy  Objectives 

ORIGINAL TEXT 

AMENDED TEXT 

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN 
UNION 

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN 
UNION 

Having regard to the Treaties, and in particular 
Article  130(3)  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the 
European Community, 

Having regard to the Treaties, and in particular 
Article  130(3)  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the 
European Community, 

Having  regard 
Commission,1 

to  the  proposal  from  the 

Having  regard 
Commission,1 

to 

the  proposal  from 

the 

Having  regard  to  the opinion  of  the  European 
Parliament,2 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the  European 
Parliament,2 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the  Economic 
and Social Committee,3 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the  Economic 
and Social Committee,3 

Whereas,  at  the  Energy  Council  of  7  May 
1996,  the  Council,  in  its  Resolution  on  the 
the 
White  Paper  "An  Energy  Policy  for 
European  Union",  invited  the  Commission  to 
put in place a process of  co-operation  between 
the Community and the Member States in order 
to ensure  that  Community  and  national  energy 
policies  are  compatible  with  agreed  common 
energy objectives; 

Whereas,  at  the  Energy  Council  of  7  May 
1996,  the  Council,  in  its  Resolution  on  the 
the 
White  Paper  "An  Energy  Policy  for 
European  Union",  invited  the  Commission  to 
put  in place a process  of  co-operation  between 
the Community and the Member States in order 
to ensure  that  Community  and  national  energy 
policies  are  compatible  with  agreed  common 
energy objectives; 

Whereas, this process needs to be placed  in the 
context  of  a  shared  analysis  of  the  energy 
situation 
through 
cooperation  at  the  Community  level  between 
Member States on energy studies; 

and  of 

trends 

future 

Whereas, this process needs to be placed  in the 
context  of  a  shared  analysis  of  the  energy 
situation 
through 
cooperation  at  the  Community  level  between 
Member States on energy studies; 

and  of 

trends 

future 

Whereas  the  promotion  of  the  internal  energy 
market being a priority  task for  the Community 
and  the  Member  States,  it  is  important  for  the 
internal  energy  market  that  energy  trends  and 
issues  be  analyzed  at  the  Community  level, 

Whereas  the  promotion  of  the  internal  energy 
market being a priority  task  for  the Community 
and  the  Member  States,  it  is  important  for  the 
internal  energy  market  that  energy  trends  and 
issues  be  analyzed  at  the  Community  level, 

JOn°C... 
JO n° C... 
JO n° C... 

X 

through  cooperation  with  the energy  sector and 
by  mobilising  all  the  local,  regional,  national 
and Community elements concerned; 

through  cooperation  with  the energy  sector and 
by  mobilising  all  the  local,  regional,  national 
and Community elements concerned; 

Whereas,  this process of  cooperation,  with due 
regard  to  the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  must 
ensure  a  maximum  of 
coherence  and 
to  agreed  energy 
convergence 
objectives  if  the  Community's  economic  and 
environmental policy goals are to be achieved; 

in  relation 

Whereas,  this process of  cooperation,  with due 
regard  to  the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  must 
ensure  a  maximum  of 
coherence  and 
to  agreed  energy 
convergence 
objectives  if  the  Community's  economic  and 
environmental policy goals are to be achieved; 

in  relation 

Whereas,  the  Community  has  a  wide  range of 
competencies  in  the  energy  sector  under  the 
existing  Treaties  but 
still  no 
comprehensive energy policy  framework; 

there 

is 

Whereas,  the  Community  has  a  wide  range of 
competencies  in  the  energy  sector  under  the 
existing  Treaties  but 
still  no 
comprehensive energy policy  framework; 

there 

is 

Whereas,  the  RTD  Framework  Programmes 
based on the EC Treaty and the Euratom Treaty 
the  development  of  new  energy 
ensure 
technologies  related  to  the  non-nuclear  and 
nuclear energy; 

Whereas,  the  RTD  Framework  Programmes 
based on the EC Treaty and the Euratom Treaty 
the  development  of  new  energy 
ensure 
technologies  related  to  the  non-nuclear  and 
nuclear  energy;  whereas  they  will  concentrate 
on  increasing  efficiency  and  on  renewable 
energy  sources  and,  in  the  case  of  nuclear 
technologies,  on  safe 
techniques  for  final 
storage; 

Whereas,  without  prejudice  to  the  existing 
responsibilities  of  Member  States  as  regards 
their  own  energy  sectors,  the  White  Paper 
proposes  a  new  approach  to  energy  policy 
cooperation  around  agreed  energy  policy 
objectives  and  a  new  approach  to  monitoring 
energy  trends,  in cooperation  with  the Member 
States,  which  would  add  value  by  pinpointing 
and encouraging  best practices,  by promoting a 
cooperative  approach  to  energy  studies  and 
analysis and by exchanging relevant experience; 

Whereas,  without  prejudice  to  the  existing 
responsibilities  of  Member  States  as  regards 
their  own  energy  sectors,  the  White  Paper 
proposes  a  new  approach  to  energy  policy 
cooperation  around  agreed  energy  policy 
objectives  and  a  new  approach  to  monitoring 
energy  trends,  in cooperation  with  the Member 
States,  which  would  add  value  by  pinpointing 
and encouraging  best practices,  by promoting a 
cooperative  approach  to  energy  studies  and 
analysis and by exchanging relevant experience; 

Whereas,  a  firm  commitment  to  Community 
energy  objectives  by  Member  States  requires 
effective  cooperation  at  Community  level  to 
ensure 
that  both  national  and  Community 
energy policies contribute to their attainment; 

Whereas,  a  firm  commitment  to  Community 
energy  objectives  by  Member  States  requires 
effective  cooperation  at  Community  level  to 
ensure 
that  both  national  and  Community 
energy policies contribute to their attainment; 

Whereas, in the framework  of this cooperation, 
the  Commission  needs  to  have  regular  and 
appropriate information  from  Member States so 
that  it  can  establish  periodic  reports  on  the 
extent to which Member  States'  energy policies 
and  Community 
to 
actions 
Community energy objectives; 

contribute 

Whereas,  in the framework  of this cooperation, 
the  Commission  needs  to  have  regular  and 
appropriate information  from  Member States so 
that  it  can  establish  periodic  reports  on  the 
extent to which Member  States'  energy  policies 
and  Community 
to 
actions 
Community energy objectives; 

contribute 

Whereas  these  periodic  reports  that  evaluate 
energy  developments  in  a  global  manner  will 
provide  the basis  for  an  examination  of  energy 
the 
developments 
Commission 
new 
legislative proposals; 

in  the  Council  and  for 
to  make 

appropriate 

Whereas  these  periodic  reports  that  evaluate 
energy  developments  in  a  global  manner  will 
provide  the basis  for  an  examination  of  energy 
the 
developments 
Commission 
new 
legislative proposals; 

in 
to  make 

the  Council  and  for 

appropriate 

Whereas,  in  order  to  take  account  of  the 
changing  energy  situation  the  Community,  on 
the  basis  of  a  Commission  proposal,  needs  to 
examine  periodically,  and  where  necessary  to 
update the agreed common objectives; 

Whereas,  in  order  to  take  account  of  the 
changing  energy  situation  the  Community,  on 
the  basis  of  a  Commission  proposal,  needs  to 
examine  periodically,  and  where  necessary  to 
update the agreed common objectives; 

Has decided as follows: 

Has decided as follows: 

Article 1 

Article 1 

A  framework  for  energy  cooperation  between 
the  Community  and  the  Member  States  is 
hereby  established  around  agreed  Community 
energy  objectives  which  are  set  out  in  annex, 
and which,  while constituting  specific  measures 
in  support  of  actions  taken  in  the  Member 
States, will notably contribute to: 

A  framework  for  energy  cooperation  between 
the  Community  and  the  Member  States  is 
hereby  established  around  agreed  Community 
energy  objectives  which  are  set  out  in  annex, 
and  which,  while constituting  specific  measures 
in  support  of  actions  taken  in  the  Member 
States, will notably contribute to: 

-  achieving  a  high  level  of  competitiveness  in 

-  achieving  a high  level  of  competitiveness  in 

the Community, 
increasing security of supply, 

- 

-  protecting the environment, 
-  promoting  the  rational  and  efficient  use  of 
energy  resources  and  new  and  renewable 
energy, 

the Community, 
increasing security of supply, 

- 
-  avoiding surplus capacity. 
-  protecting the environment, 
-  promoting  the  rational  and  efficient  use  of 
energy  resources  and  new  and  renewable 
energy, 

-  promoting  international  energy  cooperation 

-  promoting  international  energy  cooperation 

and liberalisation, 

and liberalisation, 

1 

-  ensuring 

transparency  of  national  and 

Community energy policy actions, 

-  developing an analysis and monitoring of the 

energy market. 

level,  which  are  designed 

securing  initiatives,  including  those  taken  at 
national 
to 
promote  and  develop  sustainable  energy 
technologies, 
ensuring 
Community energy policy actions; 
developing an analysis and monitoring of the 
energy market, 
reducing energy consumption. 

transparency  of  national  and 

Article 2 

Article 2 

1.  In  order  to  achieve  the  agreed  energy 
objectives  described 
the 
Commission will ensure the following: 

in  Article  1, 

1.  In  order  to  achieve  the  agreed  energy 
objectives  described 
the 
Commission will ensure the following: 

in  Article  1, 

1. 

2. 

5. 

the  monitoring  of  the  impact  of  agreed 
common  energy  objectives  of  energy 
policy developments in Member States and 
of  the  evolution  of  the  global  energy 
situation in view of a possible adaptation of 
the  common  energy  objectives  set  out  in 
annex; 
the  scrutiny  of  Community  and  national 
actions 
the 
exchange of best practices; 
the  monitoring,  evaluation  and  exchange 
of energy related information  on all aspects 
of energy activity; 
the  development  of  cooperation  and 
linkages in the energy field; 
the 
broad 
of 
encouragement 
dissemination  of  the  results  obtained from 
the measures in 3 and 4. 

the  energy  field  and 

the 

in 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

the  monitoring  of  the  impact  of  agreed 
common  energy  objectives  on  energy 
policy developments in Member States and 
of  the  evolution  of  the  global  energy 
situation in view of a possible adaptation of 
the  common  energy  objectives  set  out  in 
annex; 
the  scrutiny  of  Community  and  national 
actions 
the 
exchange of best practices; 
the  monitoring,  evaluation  and  exchange 
of energy related information  on all aspects 
of energy activity; 
the  development  of  cooperation  and 
linkages in the energy field; 
the 
broad 
of 
encouragement 
dissemination  of  the  results  obtained  from 
the measures in 3 and 4. 

the  energy  field  and 

the 

in 

5b.  the development  and  rapid  introduction  of 
a 
system 
or 
commensurate  with  sustainable  energy 
policy objectives; 

incentive 

taxation 

2. 

The  Commission  will  examine 
the 
necessity of  specific  Community  actions in 
support  of  measures  taken  in  the  Member 
States: 

2. 
In  the  framework  of  its  responsibilities 
under  the  Treaty,  and  in  compliance  with  the 
principle  of  subsidiarity,  the  Commission  will 
propose  specific  Community  actions  and/or 

^ 

programmes  to attain  the  agreed  energy  policy 
objectives  listed  in  the  Annex. 
It  will  also 
examine  the  necessity  of  specific  Community 
actions  in  support  of  measures  taken  in  the 
Member States; 

Article 3 

Article 3 

1.  The  Commission 

shall  be 

informed 
annually of the measures taken by Member 
States  for  achieving  the  agreed  common 
energy  objectives  referred  to  in  the annex 
and on any other  measure relevant to these 
objectives. 

1.  The  Commission 

shall  be 

informed 
annually of the measures taken by Member 
States  for  achieving  the  agreed  common 
energy  objectives  referred  to  in  the  annex 
and on any other  measure relevant to these 
objectives. 

the 

2.  The Commission  will prepare on  the basis 
of 
information  obtained,  where 
appropriate,  a  report  in  the  form  of  a 
Communication,  on  the  compatibility  of 
energy  policies  in  the  Member  States  and 
Community actions in the energy field with 
the agreed common energy objectives. This 
report  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  European 
Parliament,  the Council, the Economic and 
Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of 
the Regions; 

the 

information 

2.  The  Commission  will  prepare  on  the basis 
of 
obtained,  where 
appropriate, but at least every  two years, a 
report in the form  of a Communication,  on 
the compatibility  of  energy  policies  in  the 
Member  States  and  Community  actions  in 
the  energy  field  with  the  agreed  common 
energy  objectives.  The  report  shall  also 
contain  a  comparative  presentation  of 
whether  and  to  what  extent  the  Member 
States  have  made  progress  towards  the 
achievement  of  the  agreed  energy  policy 
objectives.  This report  shall be  forwarded 
to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council, 
the  Economic  and  Social  Committee  and 
the Committee of the Regions; 

Article 4 

Article 4 

This Decision shall enter into force on....  ; 

This Decision shall enter into force on....  ; 

Article 5 

Article 5 

This Decision  shall be published  in the  Official 
Journal of the European Communities. 

This Decision  shall be published  in  the  Official 
Journal of the European Communities. 

Done at Brussels, 
For the Council, 
The President 

Done at Brussels, 
For the Council, 
The President 

Annex 

AGREED COMMON ENERGY  OBJECTIVES 

1.  Energy  policy  at  the  Community  level 
should  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  the 
various energy objectives  set out in the Treaties 
notably,  market 
sustainable 
development,  environmental  protection  and 
security of supply. 

integration, 

1.  Energy  policy  at  the  Community  level 
should  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  the 
various energy objectives  set out in the Treaties 
notably,  market 
sustainable 
development,  environmental  protection  and 
security of supply. 

integration, 

2.  The  integration  of  the  Community  energy 
market,  based  on  the  principle  of  open  and 
competitive  markets,  is  essential  for  achieving 
flexibility,  efficiency  and  long-term  security  in 
the  energy  sector.  Integration  should  take  into 
account  the diverse energy  mix of  the Member 
States,  both  fossil  and  non-fossil,  and  enhance 
economic  and  social  cohesion  particularly 
through  the  development  of  trans-European 
networks. 

2.  The  integration  of  the  Community  energy 
market,  based  on  the  principle  of  open  and 
competitive  markets,  is  essential  for  achieving 
flexibility,  efficiency  and  long-term  security  in 
the  energy  sector.  Integration  should  take  into 
account  the diverse  energy  mix of  the Member 
States,  both  fossil  and  non-fossil,  and  enhance 
economic  and  social  cohesion  particularly 
through  the  development  of  trans-European 
networks. 

3.  Transparent  and  undistorted  energy  prices 
with  the  aim  of  ensuring  that  markets  for  all 
fuels  in  the  Community  work  efficiently  and 
are fully  competitive. 

3.  Transparent  energy  prices  with  the aim of 
ensuring  that  markets  for  all  fuels  in  the 
Community  work  efficiently  and  -  taking  into 
account the goal of  environmentally  sustainable 
operate  on  the  basis  of  fair 
development 
competition. 

energy 

development, 

4. 
In order  to achieve the Treaty  objective of 
and 
sustainable 
environmental  objectives  need  to be  integrated. 
Wherever  possible  the  full  cost  of  energy 
production and consumption  should be  reflected 
in  the price.  Economic  non-fossil  fuels  such  as 
renewables  and  nuclear 
the 
highest safety  standards, can make an important 
contribution to this goal. 

incorporating 

energy 

development, 

4. 
In order  to achieve the Treaty  objective of 
and 
sustainable 
environmental  objectives  need  to be  integrated. 
Wherever  possible  the  full  cost  of  energy 
production and consumption  should be  reflected 
in  the price.  Economic  non-fossil  fuels  such  as 
renewables  and  nuclear 
the 
highest safety  standards, can make an important 
contribution to this goal. 

incorporating 

5.  The  strengthening  of  security  of  supply 
through  improved  diversification  and  flexibility 
supplies,  by 
of  domestic  and 

imported 

5.  The  strengthening  of  security  of  supply 
through  improved  diversification  and  flexibility 
supplies,  by 
of  domestic  and 

imported 

^o 

developing  environmentally  sound  indigenous 
energy  resources  and by  ensuring  energy  have 
the  ability  to  respond  quickly  and  flexibly  to 
supply  emergencies,  notably  with  respect  to  oil 
and gas. 

developing  environmentally  sound  indigenous 
energy  resources  and  by  ensuring  energy  have 
the  ability  to  respond  quickly  and  flexibly  to 
supply  emergencies,  notably  with  respect  to  oil 
and gas. 

6.  A  coordinated  approach to external  energy 
relations  in order to ensure free and open  trade 
and a secure framework for energy investments. 
Co-operation with non-member countries should 
be  developed  to  enhance  energy  security,  to 
achieve environmental goals and to stimulate the 
development  and  dissemination  of  appropriate 
energy technologies to third countries. 

the  best  possible 

6.  A  coordinated  approach  to  external  energy 
relations  in  order to  ensure  free  and open  trade 
and a  secure framework for  energy  investments 
environmentally 
using 
acceptable technologies.  Co-operation with non-
member  countries  should  be  developed  to 
enhance 
achieve 
the 
environmental  goals  and 
development  and  dissemination  of  appropriate 
energy technologies to third countries. 

to 
to  stimulate 

security, 

energy 

7.  The  promotion  of  renewable  energy 
resources  through  supportive  measures  at  both 
Community  and  national  level  with  the  aim  of 
achieving  for  this  fuel  a  significant  share  of 
primary  energy  production  in  the  Community 
by 2010. 

7.  The  promotion  of 
renewable  energy 
resources  through  supportive  measures  at  both 
Community  and  national  level  with  the  aim  of 
achieving  for  this  fuel  a  significant  share  of 
primary  energy  production  in  the  Community 
by 2010. 

significant 

improvement 

in  energy 
8.  A 
efficiency  in  the  Community  by  the  year  2010 
through  an  improved  coordination  of  both 
national and Community  measures. 

significant 

improvement 

in  energy 
8.  A 
efficiency  in  the  Community  by  the  year  2010 
through  an 
improved  coordination  of  both 
national and Community  measures. 

In order to contribute to the achievement of  the 
above  objectives  the  Community  will  use  the 
large  range  of  instruments  in  the  energy  sector 
that are available to it,  notably 

In order to contribute to the achievement of  the 
above  objectives  the  Community  will  use  the 
large  range  of  instruments  in  the  energy  sector 
that are available to it,  notably 

and 

research 
the 
and  development 
dissemination  of  new  and improved  energy 
technologies, 
harmonising  the  fiscal  structure  on  energy 
products to avoid distortions, 
applying 
the 
Treaties  with  a  maximum  of  transparency 
and consistency, 
standardisation in the energy  sector, 

the  competition  rules  of 

and 

harmonisation of framework conditions. 
research 
the 
and  development 
dissemination  of  new  and improved  energy 
technologies, 
harmonising  the  fiscal  and  environmental 
instruments  on  energy  products  to  avoid 
distortions, 
applying  the  competition  rules  of  the 
Treaties  with  a  maximum  of  transparency 
and consistency, 

nt 

monitoring of the internal market, 
instruments  for  cooperation  and  assistance 
with third countries, 
development  of  cost-effective  instruments 
for  limiting  the  negative  environmental 
side effects of the production, transport and 
use of energy. 

standardisation in the energy sector, 
monitoring of the internal market, 
instruments  for  cooperation  and  assistance 
with third countries, 
development  of  cost-effective  instruments 
for  limiting  the  negative  environmental 
side effects of the production,  transport and 
use of energy, 

•OL 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 436 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

12 

Catalogue number  : CB-CO-97-439-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-23901-1 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

•13