What they are saying

Letter to the editor in The Independent, April 15, 2014

Energy Secretary Ed Davey need not worry about having to persuade other European governments about the need to take Putin’s energy threat seriously (14 April). As it happens, the heads of EU Governments, all of whom met in Brussels last month, unanimously agreed to require the European Commission to report to them by June on precisely this topic.

They asked for a detailed plan showing how we can minimise the amount of Russian gas Europe need import. Their communiqué states what they believe to be the best, most cost- effective and swiftest way of proceeding. It says unequivocally that, to reduce gas import dependency, “moderating energy demand through enhanced energy efficiency should be the first step; this will also contribute to other energy and climate objectives.”

It is clear where the 28 heads of governments believe the priorities for Europe’s energy security future rationally lie.

Andrew Warren, Director, Association for the Conservation of Energy, London N