Events
Clingendael Energy Lecture
"Dutch Energy Policy in an International Perspective"
21 March 2006
On Tuesday 21 March 2006 H.E. Mr. Laurens Jan Brinkhorst gave a Clingendael Energy Lecture on "Dutch Energy Policy in an International Perspective". After the lecture there was a lively Q&A with the Minister.
The structure of the international energy markets is changing rapidly. Uncertainty about what future supply and demand market circumstances will be has elevated energy security of supply and security of demand on the policy agenda in capitals of consumer and producer countries. At the same time, governments are preparing for the post-Kyoto process.
Also in the EU and its member states, environmental concerns, the completion of the energy market liberalisation and security of supply are featuring at the top of the political agenda. Dutch energy policy must take both the international and the European developments into account and, at the same time, must develop its own strategies for the future.
The Minister discussed the strategic context of future energy markets and policy-making. He pointed out that the increasing import dependence of the European Union required the development of a EU that could speak with one energy voice. He addressed the issues raised in the Commission's new green paper on energy from a Dutch perspective. In addition to the EU and other multilateral initiatives, the Netherlands will continue to invest in sound bilateral relations with both energy producing and consuming countries. These sound bilateral relations can also help further the EU external energy policy.
The Netherlands is a substantial producer and exporter of gas. On top of the role as a producer, the Netherlands wants to exploit its excellent infrastructure and potential to store gas and become a 'gas roundabout' for gas coming from third countries for the EU market. This would allow the Dutch gas sector to remain an important player beyond the resources of the Groningen field.
The minister concluded his lecture with the message that cooperation rather than confrontation should be the foundation of Dutch and EU external energy policy.