Statement by Günther OETTINGER (Germany) , Commissioner-designate for Energy, during his hearing at EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in Brussels.

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

OETTINGER, Günther (DE, EC)

hearing of Commissioners

2010 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Günther OETTINGER 2010 (T)

Hearing of Günther OETTINGER (Germany), Commissioner-designate for Energy: extracts

Exterior shot of the European Parliament, Brussels, BE

Interior, Arrival of Commissioner-designat G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, shots before the Hearing starts, 2 shots

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, We need a massive paradigm shift in energy policy; goals should be de-carbonisation, low carbon economy in the future and the goal of energy security supply and European solidarity. The 20 percent target when it comes to energy efficiency is very important module which is very ambitious as well and we need to take further measures to focus on this and to make sure that the target should be achieved next year.

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, After COP 15 particularly the authorities of the EU very much depends on us managing to achieve our ambitious goals so that the world which may be sceptical can be shown that this economically, technically and financially possible.

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, I believe that strength and coordination, European foreign energy policy rather than then bi-lateral relation and treaties will be important in the future. And I'm saying this from the perspective of my country of origin as well; if we have European foreign energy policy and carry that forward together will it be support by us all together without anyone breaking off.

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, We see nuclear energy as a bridging technology, many countries see it as a long-term technology and other want to give it up completely, I think we need to respect one other on that. And security should be improved through research and standards and also when it comes to final storage that should be a job for us too.

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, The energy business must be committed when it comes to extending capacities to transport electricity and gas through Europe. That is the 1s thing, 2nd the super grids, super networks be it North sea or Mediterranean, basically North-South- East-West, I have experience of this, I know the European rail network and also the TREN, I think that will help us extend our rapid rail networks and I believe that Europe has a role in the set up and in the financing of EU energy networks.

SOUNDBITE in DE: G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy: France and Germany are very big and produce a lot of energy and they will be therefore be good test benches how they implement these EU objectives. I have been proposed as the Commissioner form Germany but I have EU obligations, I know the German structure better than any other, but I have no aim to be partisan in favour of Germany, you can see that and I can promise you that.

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, I know that the solutions in the Baltic, North stream, which is about to be completed, in terms of their agreement we are rightly seen a lack of solidarity by Poland and the Baltic countries and we need to learn from that. In the bi-lateral agreement, we need to move away from bi-lateral agreements to European agreements.

SOUNDBITE (German) G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Energy, The question of the system of incentives and the budgets will be a major priority. I think in the past we have looked too much at individual measures and looked too much at the overall framework and regulation.