New European energy security strategy proposed

Brussels, May 28 (IANS) The European Commission (EC) Wednesday proposed a new European Energy Security Strategy to enhance the security of the European Union's (EU) energy supply.

The EC has proposed diversifying external energy supplies, upgrading energy infrastructure, completing the EU internal energy market and saving energy, Xinhua reported.

The strategy also highlights the need to coordinate national energy policy decisions and the importance of speaking with one voice when negotiating with external partners.

The EC proposals, including actions to ensure uninterrupted supplies this winter, will be discussed by EU heads of state or government at the European Council June 26-27, the EC said.

"I count on their strong support, since increasing energy security is in all our interest. On energy security, Europe must speak and act as one," EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement.

The strategy builds on the progress already achieved since the gas crisis in 2009.

Recent events have raised EU-wide concerns about ensuring uninterrupted energy flows as well as stable energy prices.

Following the March 2014 European Council conclusions, the EC was committed to conduct an in-depth study on European energy security and to present a comprehensive plan on how to reduce EU energy dependence by June 2014.