Speech delivered by H. E. Eric Van Der Linden

We are on the verge of establishing an internal electricity market. We are trying to promote a further development of the electrical interconnections between Member States to promote that market and trade in electricity. If we are successful in our efforts, the mix of power production sources will have a bearing not only nationally but also internationally in the internal market. There will be increased electricity trade between nuclear and non-nuclear countries. There will be air pollution from fossil fired power plants going from one country to another. As Our Union must keep the nuclear option open, for reasons of security of supply, for meeting our Kyoto commitments and for providing our citizens with affordable electricity, now and in the future. The Commission is working to set the conditions for a public acceptance or, at least, understanding of the merits of the nuclear option by reinforcing its safety and security in the short and the long term. When these conditions will be met, discussions on a particular energy source will necessarily and primarily have to be informed by economic reasons. In the light of the above considerations, the adoption of the nuclear package would contribute to the acceptance of nuclear energy and dispassionate the debate on the future of this option. Therefore, I count on the support of Slovakia to the proposals of the Commission, in particular on the need for binding measures and not mere recommendations which already exist at the international level. (author)