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Europolitics TRANSPORT COUNCIL 2010 BUDGET TREATY OF LISBON Political agreement on rights of COBU wraps up its first reading New blocking manoeuvre by ship passengers Page 6 Page 9 Vaclav Klaus Page 10 EUROPOLITICS The European affairs daily Monday 12 October 2009 N° 3836 37th year FOCUS ENERGY EFFICIENCY Commission to call for Warning to Turkey obligatory reductions The European Commission is preparing By Dafydd ab Iago paigns. Sixthly, new measures in the field to admonish Turkey, whose EU acces- of behaviour and education should induce sion negotiations are already at a stand- According to drafts obtained by Europoli- cuts in energy use more generally at con- still, over fundamental rights. tics, the European Commission is now set sumer and company level. Finally, ongoing As every year since the start of the to call for obligatory targets for energy effi- and intensified EU international coopera- accession talks in 2005, the EU’s execu- ciency. The Commission notes that, whilst tion must boost energy efficiency. tive will adopt a report, on 14 October, energy consumption, thanks to new energy that reviews the progress of reforms in policies, is forecast to stabilise by 2020, the NATURE OF THE OBLIGATORY TARGET Turkey and singles out infringements of EU will nonetheless not meet its 20% reduc- The centrepiece in the Commission’s new fundamental rights, diplomatic sources tion targets over 2005 consumption figures. approach is the claim that existing indicative told Agence France Presse on 9 Octo- The 20% indicative reduction target was set targets for member states contained in the ber. at the EU Spring Council in 2007. With Energy Services Directive (2006/32/EC) «It will be quite negative on freedom of current legislation in place, the Commis- have not succeeded in putting the EU on the press, with a section on the Dogan sion now only expects a reduction in energy track to meet its 20% energy efficiency goal. case [the leading private press group in consumption of 8.5%. A reduction of only “It is appropriate to complement the exist- Turkey that was recently slapped with 11% will be achieved in 2020 if one takes ing legal framework with binding targets on a tremendous fine],» said a diplomat. into account new additional measures such energy efficiency, in line with the already «The Commission will also take Turkey as the expansion of the EcoDesign Direc- agreed 20% objective,” reads the Commis- to task over freedom of religion, honour tive to cover energy-related, in addition to sion’s communication. crimes and failure to respect certain energy-using, products. The Commission thus intends to come fundamental rights,» added the source. forward with a directive providing for a On the other hand, it will opt for appease- SEVEN MEASURES FOR EFFICIENCY binding obligation on member states in ment on the Cypriot issue, out of fear of In its communication, possibly to be pub- line with the already existing goal of reduc- compromising the delicate talks under- lished at the end of October or in Novem- ing energy consumption by 20%. Such a way between Turkey and Cyprus. ber, the Commission is due to propose seven directive would, however, only come after The report will also give Turkey full measures. First and foremost, the EU should further assessment of its impact. The legis- marks for «certain democratic overtures set legally binding energy efficiency targets lation would also be assessed to ensure that such as authorisation of a Kurd televi- for member states. Secondly, a European obligations are designed in a manner that is sion channel,» noted a diplomat. Building Initiative must lead to the refur- compatible with the effective operation of The Commission is also expected to bishment of 15 million buildings by 2020. the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) «welcome Turkey’s rapprochement with Thirdly, a Smart Cities initiative should and the effort sharing decision for the non- Armenia». The two countries are set to cut energy use in urban areas1. Fourthly, ETS sector. sign agreements normalising their bilat- energy savings in the utility sector must be eral relations on 10 October in Zurich, achieved, forcing power companies to cut ABSOLUTE OR RELATIVE REDUCTIONS Switzerland. consumer and own energy consumption. The Commission’s communication goes Fifthly, the Commission is calling for sav- on to note that a legally binding target for ings from SMEs via awareness raising cam- energy efficiency (continued on page 00) Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info EUROPOLITICSTHE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS DAILY The centrepiece of EU news www.europolitics.info ❏ Yes, I would like to subscribe to EUROPOLITICS daily: ❏ 6 MONTHS, 112 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €890 (1). HELPGETTING US GET TO TO KNOW KNOW YOU YOU BETTER… BETTER… ❏ 1 YEAR, 223 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €1,700 (1). 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Rue d’Arlon 53 / B-1040 Brussels or by fax to: +32 (0)2 732 67 57 AP08 EUROPOLITICS N° 3836 Monday 12 October 2009 3 Contents N° 3836 Top Stories TRANSPORT COUNCIL 2010 BUDGET TREATY OF LISBON Political agreement on rights of COBU wraps up its first reading New blocking manoeuvre by ship passengers Page 6 Page 9 Vaclav Klaus Page 10 Sectoral policies Institutions People .....................................................13 Energy efficiency:
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