Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament, spoke of the importance of creating a European Energy Community last Wednesday, insisting that such a move would be central to a forward-thinking and progressive Europe. He explained that whilst often people spoke of the importance of energy policy in the context of climate change, and then also in the context of energy security, these two issues were entirely interlinked, and should require a new all encompassing a new EU energy policy plan.

‘In the 1950s, the European Coal and Steel Community was formed, giving joint control over coal, which was vital to the production of energy […] Today we need a new Schuman declaration, no longer because we fear war among ourselves, but because we need a new sense of solidarity in the production, purchase and consumption of energy’, explained Mr Buzek.

If such a project were carried out successfully it would lead to more financial resources for the creation of energy networks, to build gas and electricity grids, increase interconnectivity and would increase and improve investment into renewable energies.

However Mr Buzek conceded that ‘Energy is such an issue of national sovereignty that not all members will be willing to join at the start,’ and that as a result ‘We must take a step forward and move on with those who are willing to join. It is time to consider pooling sovereignty over energy production’.