On April 24, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited London to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, preparing for the upcoming EU-UK Summit and addressing the Future of Energy Security Summit organized by the International Energy Agency and the UK government.
Upon arrival, President von der Leyen emphasized the friendship, interests, and common values uniting the EU and the UK.
During discussions with Prime Minister Starmer, the President highlighted opportunities for cooperation in energy, security and defense, and illegal migration. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to continue supporting Ukraine.
At the energy summit, President von der Leyen spoke about the collaboration between the EU and the UK, particularly focusing on the resource-rich North Sea: “The North Sea region has it all: offshore wind, marine energy, hydrogen, carbon capture, and storage,” she stated. She stressed that the EU provides investors with regulatory certainty, crucial for enhancing electricity trade flows.
The President described a new energy security paradigm, marked by Russias attempt to weaponize energy supplies, instability in the Middle East, and disruption from tariffs across the Atlantic.
She discussed how the EU has reduced its overreliance on Russian energy: “Russia tried to exploit our dependence by cutting us off gas. They attempted to cause economic turmoil and weaken our resolve for Ukraine. They failed. We diversified our supply. We accelerated the clean energy transition. Our gas imports from Russia dropped from 45% to 18%. Our oil imports decreased tenfold, and coal imports from Russia went to zero.”
The President announced that in May, the Commission will present a roadmap to phase out all imports of Russian fossil fuels.
President von der Leyen outlined steps needed to increase global energy security and ensure the worlds poorest have access to electricity.
First, she emphasized setting a clear direction with measurable targets, such as tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
Then, she highlighted the importance of turning targets into concrete projects, like European funds are doing with the Zambia-Tanzania energy interconnectors, providing security to millions across Africa.
Access to critical raw materials is crucial, she said, which is why the EU signed ten strategic raw material agreements with partner countries and launched the first Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with South Africa.
Finally, she insisted on global cooperation to develop and protect energy infrastructure: “This sounds basic, but it is essential. We need to build grids, interconnectors, and cables. To connect our countries and diversify our energy supplies. Thats what were doing with the ELMED connection between Italy and Tunisia, the first direct current connection between Europe and Africa,” the President concluded.
The EU-UK Summit is scheduled for May 19 in the United Kingdom.
More information
Statement with UK Prime Minister Starmer