EC creates forum to scrutinize energy, transport policy

The European Commission will establish an Energy and Transport Forum to advise it on issues including restructuring of the energy sector and security of supply within the member states of the European Union. The forum will serve to oversee all EC policy initiative in the two sectors.

July 12, 2001

2 min read

By the OGJ Online Staff

LONDON, July 12 -- The European Commission will establish an Energy and Transport Forum to advise it on issues including restructuring of the energy sector and security of supply within the member states of the European Union.

Loyola de Palacio, vice president responsible for Energy and Transport, said Wednesday the forum will be mandated to examine market competitiveness and the restructuring of the energy and transport industries, taking account of environmental, social and safety concerns.

It will also serve to oversee all EC policy initiative in the two sectors, as well assisting in organizing debates on frameworks including the Green Paper on the security of EC energy supply and the future White Paper on a common transport policy up to 2010.

"The EC must listen to the views and advice of the industries and civil society when drafting its policies. The forum will play a key role in this context. It will also provide a more coordinated basis for debates on and approaches to energy and transport policy," said de Palacio.

According to the EC, the forum is a response to the Transport Council call to create a body to replace the Energy Consultative Committee, whose mandate expired in February.

"It will provide a single framework for dialogue between the EC and the two industries and will enable the interdependent aspects of energy policy and transport policy to be managed more effectively and the players from these two sectors to be brought together," said de Palacio.

The forum will consist of 34 members covering a broad range of disciplines in the fields of energy and transport. Goal is to give the EC a broader view of "the concerns of the industries and EU citizens, which sometimes differ."