The common foreign and security policy and the security of energy supplies

This study recommends that the EU regard energy security as a foreign and security policy issue rather than an economic one. The current lack of cohesiveness and overall weakness of the EUu0092s energy policy is counterproductive to European security, allowing Russia to strengthen its position as the dominant energy supplier. It also leaves Europeu0092s neighbours in the Caucasus and Central Asia more vulnerable to political and economic interference from Moscow, hampering Western efforts at reform in those countries. A common solution to these problems is engagement with these states on the development of non-Russian-controlled oil and gas pipeline routes into Europe. The study argues that this will improve the EUu0092s energy security as well as assist its efforts to foster democracy, rule of law and good governance in its neighbours.[...]