Gas crisis: opening the Energy chapter in the accession negotiations with Turkey

22.1.2009

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0474/09
by Vural Öger (PSE)
to the Council

The recent gas crisis has highlighted once again the importance for the EU of the diversification of energy sources and routes. Turkey, which is a candidate for EU accession, is a strategic transit country and is of major importance for the EU’s energy security in this as in other respects. In the light of the gas crisis, and of the importance of energy diversification and security for the EU and its citizens, it is all the more important that the EU’s negotiations with Turkey on the Energy chapter should run smoothly and not be held up by certain Member States for political reasons. Will the Czech Presidency make efforts to ensure that this chapter of the negotiations is opened? Can it provide a timescale? What is the most serious obstacle to the trouble-free opening of this chapter of the negotiations?

OJ C 189, 13/07/2010