Green energy may spark new talks with EU

Switzerland must up its production of renewable energy if it is to conclude a stalled bilateral power deal with the European Union.

Moritz Leuenberger, the Swiss energy minister, said he and Günter Oettinger, the EU energy commissioner, held talks in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss jump starting negotiations over energy. Both said they had an interest in concluding such an agreement quickly.

Switzerland and the EU had been negotiating an energy deal before talks faltered after Europe signed a third energy package that included, among other things, a deal to buy one fifth of the power from renewable sources.

That decision prompted the Swiss government in May to begin widening and adapting its negotiation strategy, without which the talks could not continue. A draft of the new mandate is currently being reviewed by cantonal authorities and parliament’s foreign policy committees.

“I believe we can find solutions within an expedient timeframe,” Leuenberger said.

Oettinger pointed out that Switzerland’s location in the heart of western Europe provides “the best and shortest path” for transit, gas and electricity. Switzerland with its hydropower plants could be “an ideal strategic partner” for the EU, the pair agreed.

swissinfo.ch and agencies