General Affairs Council discussed the 2030 climate and energy policy framework
22 October 2014 News
Deputy Foreign Minister Rumen Alexandrov participated in the General Affairs Council meeting on 21 October in Luxembourg. The Council dealt with the preparations of the next European Council meeting of 23-24 October which is expected to reach a final agreement on a new climate and energy policy framework for 2030. Foreign Ministers discussed draft conclusions of the European Council on the subject.
The main elements of the framework include: greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 40% below 1990 levels, renewable energy target of at least 27% of EU’s energy consumption, 30% energy savings target and 15% interconnection target. The discussion at the GAC was designed to achieve a compromise on the main objectives and measures to achieve them.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Rumen Alexandrov said that Bulgaria supports the goal to find a solution on the new climate and energy policy framework for 2030. He noted that the framework is essential for the formation of a stable long-term vision in the energy sector and the introduction of tools that help to maintain a high level of economic development and sustainable energy systems in the EU. At the same time, he emphasized that for reaching an agreement on the package it is essential to take into consideration the national specificities and capabilities, particularly with regard to Member States with lower GDP. Reaching an agreement on the new and more ambitious objectives of the framework should not put at risk the economic development of the Member States or to have negative impact on the competitiveness of the European economy.
With regard to the efforts to enhance energy security, Bulgaria underlined the need for increased attention to the development of energy infrastructure, particularly in Southeastern Europe. The implementation of key projects of common interest in the gas sector is very important and they should be included in the Southern Gas Corridor conclusions.
The agenda of the General Affairs Council included also a thematic debate on the strategic agenda priority focusing on freedom, security and justice. EU Ministers focused on assessing the progress and discussing possible measures to improve the activities.
The Council did not reach an agreement on the draft Decision on the composition of the Committee of the Regions, not adopting the European Commission proposal to reduce the number of representatives of certain Member States in the Committee. Consultations will continue in order to achieve timely decision by the end of 2014.
The other topics on the agenda included the cooperation with the European Commission in the context of legislative programming after the formation of the new Commission. The ministers agreed on the need to conduct dialogue on the Commission’s 2015 Annual Work Programme and to negotiate afterwards the interinstitutional agreement between the EC, the EP and the Council.