European Commission adds security arm to energy directorate

European Commission adds security arm to energy directorate

London (Platts)--5May2004


The energy and transport directorate general of the European Commission has
added a new directorate focusing on security, and is specifically looking for
an official from a new member state to head it, an EC spokesman said
Wednesday. The terrorist attacks in Madrid and the Prestige tanker oil spill
off the coast of Spain have raised the profile of system security in the
European Union, and it is likely to be a formal priority for the new
commission which starts in November. The security directorate is to develop a
coherent approach to ensure effective protection of installations, energy
infrastructure, goods and citizens in all areas of energy and transport. It is
also to propose ways to reinforce the EU's security legal framework, put in
place efficient control systems, disseminate best practices and organise on
the spot inspections, particularly in the areas of radiation protection, air
and sea transport.