The Geopolitics of Energy Supply in the 'Wider Europe'.

In this article the authors reflect on the increased emphasis on the security of energy supply on its political agenda by European governments. The authors cites the example of the 2001 Green Paper on Energy Security in Europe. It warns that without an active energy policy, the European Union (EU) will not be able to free itself from its increasing energy dependence and highlights the urgent need to diversify the various sources of supply. The article also mentions the interruption of energy supplies from Russia to EU member states during the Russia-Ukraine gas disputes of 2006 and the Russia-Belarus oil dispute of 2007 which fuelled discussions in the EU about a energy crisis and the long-term security of energy supplies to Europe.