Memo: Preparation of the Energy Council, 22 February 2013

The first Energy Council under the Irish Presidency will be held on 22nd February 2013 in Brussels. Energy Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger will represent the European Commission. The Council will start with an orientation debate on how to deal with possible Indirect Land Use Changes from the production of biofuels. Subsequently, the Council will debate the steps to be taken to complete the Internal Energy Market by 2014 as requested by the Heads of State or Government in 2011. This will be followed by an exchange of views on the Europe 2020 strategy. Under AOB, the Presidency will inform on the state of play of negotiations with the Parliament on the proposal for a regulation on safety of offshore oil and gas prospection, exploration and production activities.