(IRNA) - European Union High Representative for a Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, Monday said all EU Member States have signed up to a treaty which seeks to promote the safe development of nuclear energy, reports Trend.
"Many countries are going firmly down the nuclear route, with Russia, India and China planning the construction of 100 nuclear reactors," Solana told a conference on energy in Brussels Monday.
"How we react collectively to the expansion of nuclear power will in part be determined by our non-proliferation policy. Here I think we need to look seriously at the suggestion from Mohamed El-Baradei (IAEA Director) for a multilateral nuclear fuel scheme," Solana said.
The EU foreign policy chief also noted that energy needs will limit Europe's foreign policy agenda.
"Sitting on huge reserves of oil and gas gives some difficult regimes a trump card. They can use energy revenues for purposes which we may find problematic."
"And it shields them from external pressure. Thus, our energy needs may well limit our ability to push wider foreign policy objectives, not least in the area of conflict resolution, human rights and good governance," he said.
Solana stressed that, Russia will be the mainstay of EU energy imports.
We are right to insist on wanting a genuine partnership with Russia, he said, adding, "But here too, we should ask ourselves some tough questions. How far are we ready to go in terms of reciprocity concerning investments?"
The equivalent of 25% of total Russian gas exports to Europe! This is both wasteful and damaging to the environment, added Solana.
The European Commission has organised the two-day conference on 'Towards an EU External Energy Policy' which began Monday.