Conference Paper

This paper explores climate and energy policy issues in light of the Lisbon Treaty. The key for European integration has always been energy (coal and steel), and nowadays the European Union needs a competitive strategy and a coherent energy policy. This paper considers the progress achieved in the Lisbon Treaty, as well as the driving forces and global challenges for creating a common approach in the energy field. The Lisbon Treaty, including new EU competencies on energy policy, adds a new dynamic as it establishes for the first time an energy chapter and streamlines decision-making. Additionally, special attention is given to the Lisbon Treaty as a legal basis for energy-related documents (the 3rd liberalization package, the European Economic Recovery Plan, the EU climate and energy package) and to the question of the EU's energy security. This paper also analyses the EU-Russia energy dialogue and the opportunities for further cooperation in the framework of the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. It also considers the influence of the Lisbon Treaty on Russian energy policy.