Ending Russian energy imports

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the proposal but also realises that the EU needs to prioritise the phase-out of Russian gas and oil in 2026, ensuring full and definitive completion by the end of 2027 at the latest, and recognises the urgent need to cease funding Russia’s war effort and place the EU’s security above the perceived short-term financial gains of a handful of Member States.  The new Article 7 that the EESC proposes below would put oil imports on an equal footing with gas imports.
• welcomes the stronger instruments proposed for monitoring energy dependencies; suggests, however, that these mechanisms should be subject to stronger parliamentary oversight. The EESC also recommends involving the social partners and organised civil society in the assessment of strategic dependencies.
• proposes deleting the possibility of a derogation, provided for in Article 15 of the Proposal. Allowing for a derogation undermines the strategic goals of the Proposal by diluting its core objective.
• urges the EU to pursue a proactive and coordinated course of action to further identify and eliminate shadow fleet operations. Urges importance of  introducing adequate measures for uranium, its derivatives and associated technology and expertise, as soon as safely possible.