The European Union imports as much as 53 per cent of its energy, making it the largest energy importer in the world.
The Slovak EU Council presidency has an ambition to help to create a resilient and competitive energy union, closely tied to the climate change policy.
The key objective must be safe and clean energy, affordable to all consumers.
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In order to reach this objective, the EU needs an integrated energy market and greater competition. Energy security is a very important element in building up Europe's energy resilience.
The Slovak EU Council presidency will therefore strive to increase the security of gas supply through increased cross-border and regional cooperation and solidarity. An ambitious climate change policy is an indivisible part of the energy union.
The Paris agreement endorses the transition towards a low-carbon economy. This makes an appropriate European framework for emission trading vitally important.
It should be a cost-effective tool to stimulate investment into low-carbon technologies; at the same time, it should respect the existing differences between the member states as regards the energy mix and economy structure.