Publications

In recent years, the EU has set for itself a number of long term objectives to increase its members’ energy security. First and foremost is the desire to reduce dependency on Russia as Europe’s main energy supplier. However, not all EU countries view Russia as a threat to their energy sector, and some, particularly Germany, are actively promoting Russia’s continued energy dominance in Europe. The biggest challenge facing the EU’s quest for higher energy security is how to reconcile the conflicting energy interests and needs of different European countries and create a joint European energy sector that will provide greater bargaining power against Russia and other external energy suppliers. This challenge will only grow once Turkey becomes a significant transit state for Europeanbound oil and natural gas from Central Asia and the Middle East, thus increasing its political power with respect to the EU.