Briefing No 43
Energy policy and the enlargement of the European Union

The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those held by the European Parliament as an institution.

CONTENTS

Summary

I. INTRODUCTION

II. THE ACQUIS COMMUNAUTAIRE IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

1. Primary legislation on energy
2. Secondary legislation on energy

III. THE CHALLENGE: ADOPTION OF THE ACQUIS BY THE APPLICANT COUNTRIES

IV. EAST-WEST ENERGY COOPERATION AND AGENDA 2000

V. TRANSEUROPEAN NETWORKS (TEN)

VI. THE ENERGY BALANCE OF THE SIX APPLICANT COUNTRIES: A BRIEF OVERVIEW

VII. OPINIONS

1. EU Commission: general opinions
2. The energy sector in the six applicant countries: assessment by the Commission
3. Conclusions of the Council and European Council
4. Opinion of the European Parliament

VIII. PROSPECTS FOR THE ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS (POSITION, EARLY JUNE 1999)

ANNEX: Basic energy statistics for selected applicant countries

Summary

This paper seeks to give an overview of the problems relating to enlargement as far as energy policy is concerned. It looks at the importance of individual questions and describes the difficulties involved in adopting the acquis communautaire.