Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Verma on 18 March (HL5568 to HL5572), whether, in view of the Energy Community's aims in respect of enhancing security of supply, attracting investment in power generation and networks, and reducing dependence upon Russian supplies of gas, they consider that the United Kingdom should increase the level of its participation in the various institutions of the Energy Community as it is entitled to do as a participant; and at which meetings the views of the United Kingdom on the issues to be considered by the various institutions and groups of the Energy Community are discussed within the European Union to ensure that the United Kingdom's position is reflected by the European Union representatives at the meetings at which the United Kingdom does not participate.

The UK agrees that the Energy Community has an important role to play in the energy security of the EU and neighbouring countries and that the Energy Community has been an effective vehicle for encouraging countries in the EU near neighbourhood to align themselves with the EU energy networks.

The UK ensures that it takes all opportunities to influence the direction of EU policy towards the Energy Community. This is normally achieved through contributions to discussions at official-level meetings in Brussels, where the EU’s policy towards the Energy Community is agreed.