UK Probes Swiss-EU Relationship

The UK House of Lords EU energy and environment sub-committee questioned the Swiss federal energy ministry's head of international energy affairs, Jean-Christophe Fueg, October 18, as part of the committee's continuing investigation this autumn into all the possible effects that leaving the European Union could have on the UK's energy market.

Switzerland is home to a large energy trading community, and also serves as the legal base for international ventures such as Trans-Adriatic Pipeline company plus Gazprom-led Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2. However the country does not produce oil and gas for export, unlike the UK.

The aim of the October 18 meeting with Fueg was to explore the advantages and disadvantages of Switzerland’s energy relationship with the EU; the key areas of dispute in negotiations to deepen that relationship; and how Switzerland influences EU energy policy.

Topics that the committee are likely to cover include the Swiss priorities and aims for its energy relationship with the EU; the extent to which the Swiss energy system is integrated with that of the EU and how much energy is traded between them; the extent to which Switzerland co-operates with the EU on nuclear safety, safeguarding and research and development; and what regional or international energy coordination groups Switzerland finds valuable.

As nuclear safety watchdog Euratom is deemed part of the EU Treaty, Britain cannot stay in one and not the other, according to the Conservative government. But Britain's nuclear industry wants some form of association with Euratom after the UK has left the EU.

William Powell