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7 EEJ 49 (2017-2018)
Germany and Poland in the Energy Union: Moving from Controversies to Shared Interests?

handle is hein.journals/euenj7 and id is 125 raw text is: by AMAss an dry CawllkowskctFyk. KakOlat Lang. Kars ten Neuho if, H/en Scholt Kits ten Westphal Germany and Poland stand as examples of the differing interests of individual European Un- ion (EU) member states in energy policy. How- ever, both countries are crucial for filling the Energy Union with substance. Following the annexation of Crimea by Russia and military action in eastern Ukraine, the former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (currently Presi- dent of the European Council) first laid out the concept for an Energy Union in April 2014.' Tusk based his concept for an Energy Union on the assessment that massive dependence on Russian energy makes Europe weak. He argued that energy dependence is a threat and urged European solidarity in supply security and pursuing collective gas purchases. * This tex soa re vie an updated vIon o AY eara Gaw kowska-Fyk, K -i anj Karstn Ne;u E [en Schol Kirten Wespha 1, Energy i the Gera-olish Re anhip However, while the concept proposed by the European Commission in February 2015 included the original security dimension - framed as energy security, solidarity, and trust - this was far from the sole priority. Rather, energy security is one of five mutually sup- porting dimensions, including the internal energy market; energy efficiency as a contribu- tion toward the moderation of energy demand; decarbonisation of the economy; and research, innovation, and competitiveness2 in accordance with Europe's long-term energy policy objec- tives of security of supply, sustainability, and competitiveness. As this scope suggests, the Energy Union is an important and ambitious project for the EU, particularly as it struggles with internal crises. The relationship between the Energy Union policy and far broader questions of EU solidarity and trust mean that its effects will extend far beyond energy and climate policies. bAOKTO INDE)