GEO-POLÍTICA DA ENERGIA

Geopolitics of EU energy supply
As one of the world's largest importers of oil, gas and coal, the EU is a major player on the international energy market. However, it remains a dwarf on the political stage as member states keep the upper hand on foreign policy. With external dependence on imports forecast to grow steadily, the EU has started to integrate energy aspects into relations with third countries. EurActiv brings an overview of relations with key regions for supply and transit.

EU-Russia Energy Dialogue
The EU-25 is dependent on Russia for 25% of its gas and 25% of its oil. Conversely, sales of raw materials to the EU provide most of Russia's foreign currency and contribute to over 40% of the Russian federal budget. In October 2000, the EU and Russia agreed to start an Energy Dialogue dealing with issues such as security of supply, energy efficiency, infrastructure (e.g. pipelines), investments and trade.

New pipeline edges EU closer to Caspian gas
The Nabucco project to supply Western Europe with gas from the Caspian region received political backing from key transit countries on 26 June in a move aimed at easing the EU's dependency on Russia.