Informal agreement between EU institutions to ensure compliance of Intergovernmental Agreements in the field of energy with EU law

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached an informal agreement on 8 December 2018 on having Intergovernmental Agreements in the field of gas and oil evaluated by the European Commission before they are signed.

According to the new rules, member states need to notify the Commission their Intergovernmental Agreements in the field of gas and oil with non-EU countries before closing a deal with them.

The draft law was released in February 2016 by the Commission as part of an energy security package of proposals. The Parliament agreed its negotiating position in October.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU energy policy [What Think Tanks are thinking] http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-energy-policy-what-think-tanks-are-thinking/

ESO: Background information: New rules on security of gas supply http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-rules-on-security-of-gas-supply-3/

The Wall Street Journal, 07.12.16: EU Moves Toward Early Scrutiny of Members’ Energy Deals With Third Countries http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-moves-toward-early-scrutiny-of-members-energy-deals-with-third-countries-1481134608

EurActiv, 08.12.16: EU nations agree to let European Commission vet gas, oil deals EU Moves Toward Early Scrutiny of Members’ Energy Deals With Third Countries

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 09.12.16:Intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy: Council strengthens energy security http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/09-intergovernmental-agreements-energy/

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