newsitems EU rejects Turkey's Nabucco blackmail and fund demands, starts Solar Energy and eyes Arctic Sea+
EU rejects Turkey's Nabucco blackmail and fund demands, starts Solar Energy and eyes Arctic Sea+
Marking a strategic U-turn on Energy policy amidst hot EU Parliament debates, EU rejected Turkey's blackmail attempts abusing of controversial "Nabucco" pipeline project, on which it started to raise critical Questions and refused more funds. Instead, MEPs strongly supported Solar Energy New Technology projects as "Desertec", recently launched after the creation of the "Union for the Mediterranean", defended EU - Russia "North" and "South Stream" pipeline projects, but also opened an eye on Arctic Sea's Oil/Gas potential.
This was made clear in a series of moves, both by EU Council and EU Commission, followed by EU Parliament's debates and Votes in Strasbourg, Thursday afternoon. I.e. despite Barroso's controversial re-election step on Wednesday, who is known to push Turkey's Nabbuco plan, backed by the main supporters of the Portuguese politician : the "New Labour" British Government, notoriously fading out before the forthcoming 2010 UK elections.
- "We (EU Commission) never do Side Deals when we are negotiating on Enegy : We never compromise neither ON E.U. Enlargement, nor on Human Rights !", stressed EU Commissioner on Energy, Anders Piebalgs, in reply to critical MEPs observations on Turkey's well known recent attempts to exploit "Nabuco" pipeline in order to press EU on Cyprus and Ankara's controversial EU bid.
He was later backed by an EU Parliament's Resolution which "stresses" that "Energy dialogues should in no way take place at the expense of ...Human Rights".
On the contrary, Swedish EU Council Presidency, represented by Minister for EU affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, replying to Greek MEP Nikos Chountas' questions, slamed Turkey's threat to block Nabucco if the EU doesn't open negotiations with Ankara on the Energy chapter, because of Cyprus' reaction to Ankara's threats and provocative moves contesting Greece and Cyprus' sovereign right to peacefully exploit their own Exclusive Economic Zone for Oil/Gas resources :
- "Turkey has a responsibility, (as all other Countries wishing closer relations to the EU), to keep Peaceful relations with its neighbouring countries, and this is particularly important also among accession criteria. We (EU) have called upon Turkey to avoid any negative action", on Energy claims against its neighbours, "and emphasized that it's important to normalize relations with all EU Member States, including Cyprus, and to respect their Sovereign Rights", as well as for "Turkey to keep up to all its commitments", fex. to apply the EU "protocol" which lifts discriminatory obstacles to free movement of Ships and Airplanes from Cyprus, the Swedish EU chairwoman-in-office stressed. Warning that "the EU is aware" of the facts denounced by the MEP, "and will take them into account when it will review the stage of its relations vis a vis Turkey", before the end of 2009.
In particular, EU MAFs will meeti on November 2009, while EU closely follows all relevant developments. As regards the opening, or not, of the "Energy chapter" in EU - Turkey negotiations", even if "it's too early" to say now, it's clear that "each step needs Unanimity" inside EU Council, (i.e. also Cyprus Government's approval), Malmstrom warned Ankara.
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Voting a key-Resolution on "External aspects of Energy Security", EU Parliament significantly refused more EU Funds for the controversial, too long and too expensive Turkish "Nabucco" pipeline, rejecting an Amendment which vainly asked for it "to be adequately funded".
On the contrary, the EU text asks "more investment in Renewable and low-carbon energy", and doesn't cite Nabucco but only after "Energy Savings", "gas Storage", a "super-Grid" for Electricity and Gas", and other measures.
Moreover, EU Resolution "underlines" the need to "urgently .. secure initial agreements with prospective Suppliers to feed the pipelines", (after the "step" made a few months ago on "Nabucco" by "the signature of an Agreement on its legal framework", including by the out-going Bulgarian Socialo-Turkish former Government), But also the more "general.. importance of .. linking the EU to new sources of gas from the Middle East and the Caspian, independently of any one company or pipeline".
Heading towards new directions, EU Parliament also "emphasises the strategic importance of the Arctic region .. in terms of both energy resources, environment, biodiversity and transport issues, and the opening-up of the North-East Passage".
But the most Innovative move is EU Resolution's "call" "to cooperate with EU countries of the Mediterranean ..and north Africa, in view of their significant energy-resource potential", "encouraging, in particular, the use of Solar and Wind energy.', EU Parfliament "welcomes the recent progress made with the DESERTEC Industrial Initiative to develop the vast potential for Solar energy in the Middle East and north Africa", calling, therefore, .. to .. build a lasting partnership with the Mediterranean countries".
The relevant agreement signed on July 2009 by "12 EU Companies" "needs New Technology development", as the "Concentrated Solar Energy", which is launched in 2009 and "could be used" for that purpose, observed EU Commissioner Piebalgs, mentioning an innovative project initially proposed by Cyprus' President Christofias at the July 2008 Paris' Summit of Heads of State anjd Government for the creation of the "Union for the Mediterranean".
But both Piebalgs and MEPs acknowledged also the "much bigger importance" of EU-Russia "North and South Stream" pipelines projects, which are obviously "more important from Nabucco".
Thus, EU Parliament rejected an attempt to attach restrictions under environment protection pretexts to the EU-Russia projects, to which Germany, Italy and France are due to participate
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EU Commissioner Piebalgs, observed that Nabucco faces several "difficulties", "particularly" on how to "pay the (too long) pipeline's cost", and still needs to find sufficient natural resources, f.ex. at Turkmenistan (which negociates also with Russia and Ukraine), and even more with Iraq (which recently decided to reopen Oil - Gas pipelines with Syria, via a shorter and cheaper route towards the Mediterranean Sea).
- In these conditions, "we might take final investment decisions (only) next year (2010), with a perspective to start after 2014", he carefully added, while a Nabucco expert reportedly already spoke about postponing its completion for 2 more years : at 2016. - "I can't say at this stage", Piebalgs warned.
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During EU Parliament's debate, many MEPs, from various Political and Geographic horizons, were critical vis a is Turkey's controversial "Nabucco" project :
- "Many Questions need replies" on the "Nabucco and South Stream projects, that we support both", said on behalf of the largest Group of MEPs : ChristianDemocrats/EPP, its vice-President, Cyprus' MEP Yanis Kasulides : "F.ex. : - Do we all know what was really discussed recently (on August 2009) with Russian PM Putin in Turkey ?", he asked, mainly in direction of those who thought that Nabucco might reduce EU's dependency on Russian energy. - "Will it be able to offer enough Gas ? Can it ensure Stability of supplies ?, Kasulides asked on Nabucco. In comparison, "do you know that Russia aims to double the amount of gas it will offer through South Stream ?".
- As for "New Technologies" in Energy, "it's regrettable that, while a small island as Cyprus invests 500 Millions € ("half a Billion") in LNG (Natural Liquefied Gas), the EU contributes only for 10 (ten) millions €, he criticized, (despite EU Parliament's 2009 Resolution calling to develop Terminals, Ships and Storage throughout the EU for NLG).
- "There are many Questions on Nabucco, such as raised by Mr. Kasulides, which need answers", stressed on behalf of the "Greens" the vice-President of their Group, German MEP Reinhard Butikofer. Moreover, "we (EU) should not forget Human Rights", he added.
- "If you have (former German Foreign Minister from the "Greens") Joshka Fischer sign a 6 figures contract on Turkey's Nabucco, no wonder that there will be a lot of Questions raised", pointed out Austrian MEP Martin Ehrenhauser.
- "I formally warn the Commission against an attempt to abuse of Nabucco project as a Troyan horse in order to push Turkey inside the EU by forcing the door", denounced French MEP of the Left, Jacky Henin. On the contrary, "it's the secular principles, Womens' Rights, the rights of the Kurdish People, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which should remain the criteria for an eventual accession of Turkey", he stressed.
Romanian MEP Adina-Ioana Valean preferred to "focus on LNG". - "We'd better re-think about Nabucco: Even Countries, who were interested at North stream , also signed the South Stream, she added.
Hungarian MEP Zoltan Balczo observed that "Nabucco's biggest problem is supply" : "As Russian PM Putin said : - "It is useless to have pipelines if you can't fill them up". In addition, "It's true that Ukraine raises problems, but Turkey raises even more !", he warned. And "many among us do not believe at all that Turkey should be integrated in Europe"
- "Nabucco has been unfortunately delayed", noted Romanian ChristianDemocvrat MEP Jean Marinescu.
- On Turkey and Nabucco the big "question is what it will really cost ? It can be dangerous for the EU", warned Dutch MEP Bastian Belder, of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group.
- "There is a lack of clarity" on Nabucco, observed the vice-President of EU Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Greek Socialist MEP Mrs Anni Podemata.
- Nabucco has been "too slow", criticized British Conservative MEP Charles Tannock.
At any case, "Nabucco alone will not be enough. EU Countries will need also the North and South Stream", said Conservative MEP Roben Kowal.
Recent news evoked a "Delay" of r "from 2014 to 2016", an unknown duration closure of part of Shah-deniz's gas field in Azerbaidjan, and not only rln but also Ukraine's efforts to get Turkmenistan's a.o. gas, etc.
- "If we continue like this with Nabucco, then we'd better send our Resolutions to EU Citizens : They can burn them to stay warm !", joked "Green" MEP Indrek Tarand.
- At the opposite side of Nabucco, by "Interconnexions to Algeria, Spain can become an Oil-Gaz transit country, if it connects to other EU Member Countries (as France, etc) at the other side of Pyrenee mountains", said Spanish MEP Teresa Riera Madurell of the Governing Socialist party.
- "We'd better build NLG Terminals", concluded the experienced vice-President of EU Parliament, Spanish ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
The move was extended by German mainstream MEP Elmar Brok to "Gas Storage" facilities, (as those in Central Europe, close to the nearby Danube and Rhine interection).
- "It wil be difficult to "feed" Nabucco", observed other MEPs. There are also various other possibilities towards a "Trans-Caspian and a Trans-Saharian route", but it's better to invest in New Technologies of Renewables Energy Sources", they concluded.
- "Deserts got more Energy from the Sun, than much oil/gaz consumed each year", stressed experienced Liberal British MEP Graham Watson.
He agreed with other MEPs who stressed that "the Solar Energy Plan, based on the Union for the Mediterranean is important for the development of Renewable Energy sources, and for the cooperation with Northern Afrika".
- "Nuclear Energy's capacities must not be overlooked, since it's one of the Renewable, Climat-friendly sources, added earlier Liberal Dutch MEP Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, speaking on behalf of the ALDE Group.
- In fact, "we (EU) need not only 1 investment, but many investments : Each one reinforces the Security of Supply", concluded EU Commissioner Piebalgs.
***
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3 EU Parliament votes to boost EuroGroup !
---------------------------------
After EuroZone Paris Summit's succes, Sarkozy calls to "think anew how to re-construct Europe !
"EuroZone and EU Institutional debates pave the way to 2009 discussions on EU Future, including Enlargment, Turkey etc. ?
23 October 2008
After EU Parliament strongly suppported in 3 successive Votes this week in Strasbourg French EU Chairmanship's move to boost Euro-Group at EU's core, while ideas on EU Institutional problems are awaited on December, "it's an open Question now" if this may lead to a debate on EU's Future, or not, told us French President, Nicolas Sarkozy''s Spokesman, Pierre-Jerome Henin.
MEPs voted on Thursday fresh Funds to support EuroGroup, after adopting on Wednesday a Resolution asking a "further Evolution" to "the 1st ever meeting of Heads of State and of Government of the Euro-Zone, taking decisions in that capacity", while earlier this week a Report asked "a stronger Institutional setting" for "EuroGroup", extended from "competitiveness/industry" to "environment, employment and education", with "increased powers for Political decision-making", according to a text drafted by French MEP Francoise Beres and German MEP Werner Langen, "10 Years after the creation of Euro" (1999 - 2009).
- Brussels' subsequent "EU Council ..(simply)..ratified the measures decided by EuroGroup on October 12" in Paris, which "were necessary to contain the current Financial Crisis", Resolution observes, expressing also support to the new process succesfully initiated by Sarkozy and due to be completed by agreements with USA and other countries at a Global level.
From now on, it's between two differend but parallel moves : EU's delay, and EuroZone's acceleration, that Enlargement and particularly Turkey's controversial EU bid, will have to search its way :
Indeed, EU's 27 expect a "Roadmap on how to deal with the Irish problem" on Lisbon Treaty ratification after December, risking to pass even 2009 Elections and next Commission with the old Nice Treaty of 2000, out-dated and unfit even for 2004's Enlargement...
On the contrary, EU's core launches a real "Economic Governance for EuroZone at the highest level of Heads of State/Government" of the 15, which started in Paris on October 12 and was strongly supported this week in Strasbourg by Sarkozy and EU Parliament.
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- "It's a good idea, to launch such a debate ("on EU's Future") in EU Parliament in view of 2009 Euro-Election : Perhaps some MEPs will seize an opportunity", told us mainstream French MEP Alain Lamassoure, former EU Minister and EU Spokesman for France's governing party UMP.
- "All MEPs' debates on such EU Councils are also part of the larger debate on Europe's future : Now with EuroZone, and even more when, on December, Irish Prime Minister is due to table proposals in Strasbourg on how to deal with EU Treaty's ratification", replied earlier to our question EU Parliament's Press Director and Spokesman, Jaume Duch.
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Sarkozy has formally anounced his intention to open EU Debates on Economy, Identity/Enlargement (i.e. mainly Turkey), etc. both linked to a popular Political view of Europe, since his Historic speeches on EU in Strasbourg, on February and July 2007, when he stressed that "Europe needs a New Renaissance". At the beginning of the French EU Presidency, on July 2008, replying to a MEP, he suggested that EU Parliament takes an active part in Debates on EU's Future.
- Now, in 2008, "Crisis are an opportunity to re-think how to re-construct Europe", Sarkozy stressed. At any case, the Historic 1st EuroZone Summit of Heads of State/Government, which started replying to the Financial crisis,"is a Turning Point : After that, Europe cannot be governed as before, but differently" : People "like a Europe with Strong Will".
- "We must make the System move !", "Europe needs Innovation" and free political debates. EU "Elections are in a few Months", Sarkozy warned.
He invited EU Parliament to fully play its role as "the Democratic Heart of the Europe we want : United, Independent and Voluntarist, because the World needs Europe's voice".
- "It's no more possible for Euro-Zone to continue without an Economic Government" at the Highest Level of Heads of State/Government, who provide "Democratic Legitimity" and can take important decisions, he announced, strongly supported by EU Parliament's Economic Committee which just voted to boost the "Institutional" aspects of "EuroGroup".
Plasticity offered by the current absence of a special Treaty on EuroZone's Institutions "made it easy to adapt the organization of the 1st Summit with imagination, to efficiently meet urgent needs", he observed, on the occasion of Brittish Prime Minister's exceptionnal presence at the greatest part of EuroGroup's Paris Summit.
- "In EuroZone we have the same Bank, the same Money, and, thus, a same duty for Unity" : "By bringing together EuroGroup's 15 members States we suceeded to find a solution and prepare a Giant Plan of 1.800 Billion euros", Sarkozy reminded of Paris' 1st Historic EuroZone's Summit.
Afterwards, Brussels' EU Council followed the move, and USA's Paulson II Plan was inspired from that. "Europe must promote the idea of Global Economy's Refoundation", he stressed.
- "I was frankly astonished when I found, at the EU, a rigid system, where any New Idea was seen from the outset as a sacrilege, while, on the contrary, Europe needs Innovation !", he described.
F.ex. ,"'When we first spoke about the "Union for the Mediterranean", it was misunderstood as something extraordinary.. When later we had the Russia -Georgia crisis, it seemed against EU's custom to act "in the middle of August", instead of staying a passive spectator ! And when, in front of the Financial ciris, we gathered the 1st EuroZone Summit of the "15", some thought of it as a lese-majesté", he denounced.
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On Geo-Political Principles :
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- But, by moving resolutely, "EU obtained the ...withdrawal of Occupation Troops in 2 Months !", reminded Sarkozy, observing that Russia "fulfilled its commitments", in the Georgian crisis, where a "disroportionate reaction" from Moscow followed a "totally inappropriate action" from Tbilisi's troops. "It would be crazy to reply by military means : EU should not become accomplice of another Cold War, imposed by lack of cool heads".. as he said.
In future, "the creation of a common European Economic Area with EU and Russia, would also obtain a raprochment on our Human Rights and Democratic Values", added Sarkozy, in a statement which should logically be applied, a fortiori, to controversial EU "candidate" Turkey..
Particularly when, the same week that EU Parliament voted 2009 EU Funds for Turkey's controversial EU bid, ECHR took a series of judgements condemning Turkey for grave Violations of Human Rights, such as : Torture, death of a political prisoner in unclear circumstances followed by failure to conduct a proper Investigation, "enforced Disappearance" of a youngster aged 17, Killing of a sepherd with Tank Shells, persecuting Journalists for articles on "Missing" People, even a former President of Human Rights' Association, (etc)
- "We (EU) can defend our ideas on respect of Sovereignity and territorial Integrity, on Human Rights and other differences ... without confrontation", Sarkozy stressed, on the occasion of Russian/Georgian conflict, reminding that : "we were only 2 steps from catastroph", when a Peace agreement brokered in Moscow prevented, at the last minute, Russian troops' advance towards Tbilisi.
An EU Parliament Resolution adopted Wednesday in Strasbourg on the occasion of Russia - Georgia conflict, outlines a set of Principle which apply elsewhere too, (particularly when EU Rapporteur for Russia and Turkey is one and same person ; Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijtanen !)
Clearly rejecting any "military solution to the conflicts", MEPs "condemn ..all those who resorted to force and violence". They denounce a "disproportionate military action", "as well as (an) unilateral decision to recognise the independence" of brekaway regions, "calling.. to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the concerned country, "and the inviolability of its borders recognised by all EU Member States". They warn that "EU must review its policy towards" a 3rd Country, "should .(it)...not comply with its commitments", and "stress that the withdrawal of.... troops from the areas ....is an essential additional step".
EU Parliament "calls for the safe and quick return of refugees, (accepted by Russian President Medvedev) accompanied by the deployment of EU observers on the ground", and "regrets ...that ..EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is not allowed to enter the ...breakaway regions". Moreover, "It's important to ensure that persons and NGOs ..engaged in defending human and civil rights can operate". "Until ...all remaining issues (are) resolved..., and notably the continuing ...Military presence", "relations with the EU ..cannot be fully normalised", MEPS warned.
As nobody likes to be accused to practice "Double Standards", this should be regarded as "Principles" applicable to any Third Country at EU's Neighborhood.. No ?
-------------------
On Economy :
-----------------------
- "When Financial crisis shook US and EU's Banks, without result from the 1st (American) Paulsen plan, it was the common reply of the 1st EuroZone's Summit, involving some 1800 Billion euros, which started a positive move in the markets, soon strengthened by the follow-up of the US Paulson 2 Plan, noted Sarkozy.
- "Europe should not be only on the defensive, but, if necessary, know also how to take an offensive", he said, brushing away hesitationsto act on Economy: - "I'm for a refondation of Capitaliism, but against Speculators, who betray its values" : "Lack of Rules was profitable to speculators, Not to businessmen !" We must make sure to prevent any such crisis in future". "We, the rest of the World, cannot continue to bear the deficits of the 1st World power without saying anything !", the French President said, applauded by EU Parliament. All this needs "a New Global Governance", on which EU Parliament must debate. That's why "we proposed together with USA, several Summits from mid-November", to which G-8, enlarged to China, India a.o. countries, should participate. UNO's SG; Ban Ki Moon, the IMF, etc.
Financial crisis lowered shares' prices even for healthy companies, sometimes to 1/3 of their initial price, so that strangers might buy EU industries for only a portion of their real value, and Europeans may wake up one day with their main industries sold out to foreigners !
That's one of the reasons for which EU should debate about creating "Golden Shares" for States to jointly take Strategic participations to help European Industries until the end of the Crisis, particularly against distording competition, he suggested, pointing at USA's 35 billion $ plan for American Car Industry."We shall struggle for Europe to be able to build Airplanes, Ships, Trains, Cars, because we need a strong Industry", he concluded.
"F.ex. as we did back in 2004, when as Finance Minister, we bought Alsthom's shares for 800.000 euros, and, after restructuring, we sold them for 2 Millions : Help a company and make money is not so bad"...
As for the UK, "when Ireland announced that it would guarantee only Irish Banks, London City emptied from liquidities in 24 hours : It's the EU which helped to restore the situation, Not the UK alone !", reminded Sarkozy to nationalist British MEP Nigel Farage.
On the contrary, in a last-minute attempt for the EU to catch-up with its Institutional delay "before the European Elections" of June 2009, MEPs simply voted a call for a "set of proposals" to be made for the "Irish public opinion" at the end of the year...
- "As long as Lisbon Treaty is not ratified by all 27 EU Member States, there is an unanimous decision to stop Enlargement, reminded Wednesday in Strasbourg the French Minister for EU affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet..
Added to an indirect but clear warning that, without Lisbon Treaty, all 27 EU Member Countries may not have a Commissioner in the 2009 resuffle, MEPS in the Constitutional/Foreign affairs Committees applauded hoping that this might motivate their Irish friends..
