European Union (EU) will develop by June 1 an action plan to reduce energy dependence, especially to Russia, said the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, according to AFP.

“EU leaders have urged the European Commission (EC)to take a concrete action plan by June,” said Van Rompuy at the end of an EU summit, stressing the need to “accelerate to reduce dependence, especially towards Russia”.

Van Rompuy said that the problem is “particularly relevant in the current context”, pointing out that if the EU doesn`t act against foreign dependence, its level will reach 80% by 2035, in natural gas consumption and oil.

“Europe must step up in order to reduce this dependence,” he insisted.

Russian gas imports 27% of EU consumption.

“After 64 years from the creation of the Coal and Steel Community, we must evolve towards a Energy Union,” said Van Rompuy.

He spoke of reducing consumption, diversification, development of renewable energy type and better “interconnections” in Europe , especially claimed by Spain and Portugal.

The president of the European Council also recalled the purchase of U.S. shale gas.

French President François Hollande also confirmed that “a comprehensive plan to reduce Europe’s energy dependence will be presented in June.”

Autor: Bogdan Tudorache

Active in the economic and business press for the past 26 years, Bogdan graduated Law and then attended intensive courses in Economics and Business English. He went up to the position of editor-in-chief since 2006 and has provided management and editorial policy for numerous economic publications dedicated especially to the community of foreign investors in Romania. From 2003 to 2013 he was active mainly in the financial-banking sector. He started freelancing for Energynomics in 2013, notable for his advanced knowledge of markets, business communities and a mature editorial style, both in Romanian and English.