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Turkey – Energy

Candidate countries conduct negotiations with the European Union (EU) in order to prepare themselves for accession. The accession negotiations cover the adoption and implementation of European legislation (acquis) and, more specifically, the priorities identified jointly by the Commission and the candidate countries in the analytical assessment (or ‘screening’) of the EU’s political and legislative acquis. Each year, the Commission reviews the progress made by candidates and evaluates the efforts required before their accession. This monitoring is the subject of annual reports presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

ACT

Commission Report [COM(2011) 666 final – SEC(2011) 1201 - Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

The 2011 Report notes uneven progress with regard to energy. Although the internal market for electricity and renewable energies show adequate alignment, nuclear safety and security require further effort on the part of Turkey.

EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS (according to the Commission’s words)

EU energy policy objectives include the improvement of competitiveness, security of energy supplies and the protection of the environment. The energy acquis consists of rules and policies, notably regarding competition and State aid (including in the coal sector), the internal energy market (for example, opening up of the electricity and gas markets, promotion of renewable energy sources, crisis management and oil stock security obligations), energy efficiency, nuclear energy and radiation protection.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission’s words)

In the energy sector, progress has been uneven. There has been good progress on the internal market for electricity and on renewable energy. Measures are particularly needed in order to ensure the highest possible standards for nuclear safety, security, safeguards and non-proliferation. Developments on security of supply, the gas sector and energy efficiency also require further efforts.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Report [COM(2010) 660 final – SEC(2010) 1327 - Not published in the Official Journal]. The 2010 Report contained a positive assessment of the efforts made to safeguard energy supplies and security of supply, including by the use of renewable energy sources.

Commission Report [COM(2009) 533 final – SEC(2009) 1334 – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final – SEC(2008) 2699 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The 2008 Report noted uneven progress in implementing the acquis. Competition was still limited and there were delays in the implementation of a transparent pricing scheme. Moreover, national objectives in terms of energy efficiency and renewable energy were still to be set.

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final – SEC(2007) 1436 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In its November 2007 Report, the Commission emphasised that some progress has been made, particularly in terms of energy efficiency. It encouraged Turkey to continue alignment with the acquis, to promote the adoption of ambitious targets for renewable energy and to reinforce the independence and capacity of the regulatory authorities.

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final – SEC(2006) 1390 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The November 2006 Report noted that alignment in the energy sector was uneven and that progress was still needed in some areas, particularly as regards energy efficiency.

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final – SEC(2005) 1426 final – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2005 Report noted the continuation of efforts to align Turkey’s energy laws. However, legislation needed to be implemented more effectively, especially as regards the opening up of the energy market. A reasonable and ambitious timetable needed to be adopted on energy efficiency and renewables. The various administrative bodies needed to be strengthened, especially in the field of nuclear energy.

Commission Report [COM(2004) 656 final – SEC(2004) 1201 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The 2004 Report noted that overall alignment remained limited and uneven across the different areas of energy policy. Further efforts were necessary, throughout the sector, to align with the acquis and to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the legislation.

Commission Report [COM(2003) 676 final – SEC(2003) 1212 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The 2003 Report noted that Turkey had continued to make progress with aligning its energy legislation, notably by adopting implementing legislation in the last year which made the internal energy market more competitive by opening up the gas market, among other things. Some progress had also been achieved in the field of energy efficiency and renewables.

Commission Report [COM(2002) 700 final – SEC(2002) 1412 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The October 2002 Report emphasised that Turkey had made significant progress in further aligning its legislation with the acquis in this area, particularly in the internal energy market.

Commission Report [COM(2001) 700 final – SEC(2001) 1756 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In its November 2001 Report, the Commission confirmed that progress had been made since the last report, in particular as regards the internal energy market. Turkey had adopted two key laws concerning the electricity and gas market which concerned in particular the definition of the new structure of the sectors and the status of the players in the two sectors. However, Turkish legislation had not been completely aligned with the Community legislation in this field. There had been no progress as regards security of supply, but Turkey’s total oil reserves were in any case largely equivalent to the levels required by the Community acquis. Particular attention still needed to be paid to energy efficiency since there had been no progress in this connection since the last report.

Commission Report [COM(2000) 713 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In its November 2000 Report, the Commission noted that progress with transposing the Community acquis in the field of energy had been limited. In total, only 16 out of 120 provisions on energy were in harmony with EC legislation. The restructuring of the sector was under way and the ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty and related instruments had been a positive step, but much remained to be done.

Commission Report [COM(1999) 513 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

The 1999 Report emphasised that the objectives of Turkish energy policy were largely in line with those of the European Union (EU). They were concerned with security and diversification of sources of supply, market principles, environmental standards and improving efficiency. The amendment of the Constitution, paving the way for privatisation, and international arbitration procedures were important steps forward in this connection. A list of Turkish and Community legislation in this field drawn up by Turkey with a view to alignment with the acquis would be evaluated by the Commission. Much still remained to be done in this area.

Commission Report [COM(1998) 711 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

See also

Last updated: 30.12.2011

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