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23 – 24 April, Dublin. Minister of energy Jaroslav Neverovič participates in the informal meeting of European Union energy ministers. During the informal Council together with the ministers of environment the vision of EU climate and energy policies after 2020 was discussed. The main challenge of these policies is to combine the aims of sustainable development and competitiveness of energy sector.

„European Union has to ensure secure energy supply at affordable energy prices together with sustainable development of energy sector. This has to be achieved while promoting competiveness in the energy market. Before making any decisions on the climate and energy policies after 2020 we have to secure Europe’s competitiveness in the world market“– said J. Neverovič during the meeting.

According to the minister, while making decisions on post 2020 policies it is important not to create any obstacles for the competitiveness of EU industry and to minimise the risk of carbon leakage.

“When raising objectives for the development of renewables, reduction of carbon emissions and raising energy efficiency after 2020, we must consider individual situations of member states. To be fair when sharing responsibilities we must take into account the energy balance and economic capacities of the individual states. It is no less important to secure that the implementation of newly set objectives would not become an additional burden for the customers“- stressed J. Neverovič.

During the discussion on exploration and extraction of unconventional fossil fuels in Europe, minister J. Neverovič stressed that shale gas extraction would diversify energy supply and strengthen EU energy security. This potential should be developed in compliance with all environmental requirements. Minister stressed that this question is very important for Lithuania, which is still highly dependent on a single energy supplier.

During the informal meeting in Dublin, energy efficiency policies and financial tools for the implementation of these policies were also discussed. It was stressed that it is very important to encourage active participation of public sector and strengthen the capacities of the municipalities to use the provided EU financial tools. Minister J. Neverovič accented that to do this it is necessary to simplify the administrative mechanisms of the allocation of funds. The present procedures are too complicated and unattractive for the most energy efficiency initiatives.