The beginning of the EU Energy Summit, taking place in Brussels today, emerges eclipsed by all the recent developments in the North of Africa. The back position that the European Union has assumed, firstly in the Jasmine revolution, and now in relation to Mubarak, brings, once again, more discontentment and frustration to many citizens that hoped that the union could have a central place in managing international crisis and bringing peace and democracy to his neighbors and not only partnership agreements.     

The EU heads of state and government will gather and discuss the deteriorating situation in Egypt, while one million protesters will be in the streets of Cairo for the so-called 'Departure Friday' of Mubarak. At least ten people were killed during the clashes yesterday, while more than 600 were injured and the journalists were impeded from doing TV footage.

The prime ministers of the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain and the president of France yesterday made a joint statement yesterday condemning the violence and the attacks against journalists, and calling for a transition process to start immediately, as Obama already advised. However, a previous Franco-German-British joint declaration, led by Sarkozy, Merkel and Cameron, replicates the White House position with the particularity that, with around 350 people dead and thousands wounded since the start of the clashes, it is admired "the moderate role of Mubarak over the years.”

After the critics from the members of the Parliament, Ashton will today go back to her mediator role and chair the second half of lunch with EU heads of state and government, in the issue of the situation in Egypt, in which a text to press Mubarak to step down immediately is widely expected.

On Thursday evening, US officials advanced that Obama administration is maintaining talks with top Egyptian officials to an “orderly transition starting now” with the instant resignation of President Mubarak and the immediate creation of a provisional government that could set up the country for free elections. Although Mubarak assures that he will not leave until September to help bring the constitutional and social reforms before the end of his term.

Eastern media are comparing 1989 wave of revolutions in Central and Eastern Europe with recent developments in the southern Mediterranean following Tunisia's Jasmine revolution, and politicians insist that EU should have a role of real assistance.  

 

Several solidarity demonstrations with the Egyptian and Tunisian people are happening around the world. In parallel to the summit meeting, many people are expected to gather in Brussels today in front of the European Parliament at 2:30 pm.

Energy issues of the summit

The main issues to be discussed at the Summit are Europe's covering energy efficiency standards and the EU's internal market for energy. The promotion of innovative energy technologies and the coordination towards third countries are supposed to be discussed as an alternative to the current energetic system.

On Tuesday, a press conference hosted by EL vice President Marisa Matias and four other members of the Parliament, presented a joint declaration of the EP main parties and discussed the possibility of a new industrial revolution that would allow the creation of millions of new jobs trough a key idea of transforming buildings in producers of energy instead of consuming it.

The buildings use much energy and are responsible for most part of greenhouse gases emissions. Jeremy Rifkin wants to make each building a micro-power plant. "This would generate millions of new jobs," he argues. The economist, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, introduced the concept of III Industrial Revolution at a press conference before the European Council on next Friday dedicated to energy policies of the Union.

On the following day, in the Plenary Session, GUE/NGL and EL MEPs criticised the EU's energy strategy priorities ahead of the European Council meeting this Friday, which will focus on energy and innovation.

"Energy is clearly vital for creating new jobs but governments continue to insist on outdated energy policies" Portuguese MEP Marisa Matias objected. "We need an energy revolution, not more public-private partnerships. Attachment to "old energy" and a lack of ambition in terms of "new energy" means this is unfortunately a Council of continuity, when it could be a first step toward real change."

Greek MEP Giogios Toussas said the summit was taking place during a "crisis of capitalism" and said that reactionary policies were giving rise to popular resistance, such as the ongoing protests in Egypt, with which the GUE/NGL group expresses its full solidarity.

"There is a huge discrepancy between the proposals of the 4. February Council and the opportunity that lies ahead," strengthened Marisa Matias, for whom this is not the time to stop, or to insist on the failure. "If the European leaders do not realize it, we are not giving the answer that citizens deserve." The MEP warned on the lack of access "that are not due to deficiencies of energy, but to the lack of redistribution and equality." "This is an opportunity to generate more equality and redistribution, to create new jobs and attempt to give new energy to the European economy" she said considering Rifkin proposals and hoping that some of them form part of decisions on Friday.