Energy Union and foreign policy: EP priorities ahead of the European Council

MEPs gave their input to the upcoming summit in Wednesday’s debate with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, and Latvian Secretary of State for European Affairs Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

EC President J.-C. Juncker, Latvian Secretary of State Z. Kalniņa-Lukaševica, M. Weber (EPP, DE), G. Pitella (S&D, IT), A. Duda (ECR, PL), G. Verhofstadt (ALDE, BE), G. Zimmer (GUE/NGL, DE), R. Harms (Greens/EFA, DE), N. Farage (EFDD, UK)

MEPs stressed that the Energy Union project must help to make European more energy-independent and competitive. Some suggested that the EU could widen its energy partnerships, while reconsidering its own resources too. Others recommended switching the policy focus towards people and problems related to energy-poverty.

On foreign policy, most MEPs urged member states to remain united and firm with regard to Russia, monitor the implementation of the Minsk peace agreement, and consider ways to lend more economic support to Ukraine.

Source: EP