Europe must create a single, open energy market

11.53.00am GMT Fri 10th Mar 2006

Young Alliance has backed European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) in welcoming the presentation of the Green Paper on Energy Policy adopted today by the European Commission. This is a new step to provide answers to problems posed by the continuous price increase of hydrocarbons, the progressive rise of Europe 's dependency on energy supply, and the rising tide of economic protectionism in some EU member states.

Young Alliance Chair, North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley, stated:

"The recent rise of economic protectionism on the energy sector in countries like France, Spain and Italy is potentially worrying news for consumers in Northern Ireland. The decision-making force must primarily fall into the free market and not into the public sector. It is absolutely crucial that Europe is able to speak from a unified and integrated position, which means that the EU moves towards a single market of electricity and gas by pulling down the existing national barriers instead of creating new ones.

"This is something we are close to achieving within the island of Ireland. It is important for consumers, however, that proper regulation and competition develops across the EU, as this will drive down prices.

"The only possible way to ensure this goal is by accelerating a transition to a low carbon economy. Furthermore the EU must increase the investment in renewable green energies. We need energy now but we must invest in energy that is easy to produce and distribute and is clean for the environment - it is at EU level that such research is most relevant and effective.

"Through my colleague Sean Neeson's work in the Council of Europe, Alliance will take a genuine leading role in this."

ENDS