Brussels will keep an eye on the gas agreements with Russia – Onet.pl

 
 
  Head KE, photo. The European Commission
 
 
 

The European Council President Donald Tusk admitted after the end of the European Council that the strengthening transparency long-term contracts with external suppliers was “probably the most controversial part of the meeting.”

European Union leaders agreed that “all gas contracts – between governments and companies – must comply with EU law and be more transparent. Should not have a negative impact on Europe’s energy security. “

I asked Minister. European RP Raphael Trzaskowski confirmed that “Transparency in Energy Union will affect intergovernmental and commercial contracts.”

– The Commission will monitor compliance with the law and the provisions of the EU energy policy, but not all details will be open to all – explained Trzaskowski. The conclusions of the European Council is to record the fact that trade agreements must be protected by a secret deal.

Record of full transparency and compliance with EU law of gas contracts woke German resistance, but liberal Britain and Russia having a fondness for Finland. However, due to treatments Polish, Lithuanian and Latvian record of transparency has been maintained in the document. Visegrad Group countries other than Poland remained silent because of helplessness, and treatments can solve the opposing camp. Polish diplomats argue that there is something to enjoy, because by the end of the controversy was hot.

The current shape provisions indicates that the European Commission will be able to verify the gas contracts ex ante or prior to their implementation. With Tusk and Trzaskowski assurances that this also applies to agreements between firms, although their records remain secret to the public. Too bad, because we can learn interesting facts about what the Russians record in gas supply contracts. Brussels rumor went around that the Lithuanian is the article of the agreement on the transit of arms through its territory.

In the last month The European Commission has declared its willingness to collect data on major contracts, prices, volumes and clauses as collection points or re-export ban, incompatible with EU law. Companies are to receive advice to the Commission during the negotiation of gas. Specific proposals are to be submitted before the end of next year.

Tusk also said that EU countries agreed to ” examine how European companies can voluntarily combine their efforts and time to buy gas from external suppliers. According to my information, the terms of the proposal to create a variant of such a mechanism.

The Council did not address the crisis postulate sharing of raw materials and storage capacities by member states. However, it remains the Energy Strategy of the European Union adopted by the Commission, which is responsible for its implementation, so it will probably be implemented.

Soon has also completed the European Commission’s antitrust investigation against Gazprom, which was to reveal unhealthy practice of gas contracts. It will be a good basis for the Commission’s work on new contracts. It is not known whether the EU institution will be able to apply for revision or break existing contracts. But she got the green light to intervene in them, which is a step forward from the Polish point of view.

European Union formatted. This Commission will forge the final shape of the concept. The European Council is the “give directions”. Therefore, negotiations on this issue will continue and certainly fierce. Poles must fight for the effective implementation-won during the peak records.