EU and UK negotiations cover British access to the bloc’s electricity market and a possible EU cohesion contribution, but London has not accepted linking the two as a condition of access.
Minister of State (Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations) Hamish Falconer told The Guardian that Britain would discuss additional contributions after the Nov. 20 summit in Brussels. “We have not accepted that principle,” Falconer said, referring to a link between the payment and electricity-market access.
On March 30, the Council of the European Union authorized the European Commission to negotiate one agreement on UK participation in the bloc’s internal electricity market and another on a British contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy. The policy supports development programs intended to narrow differences among EU regions. The Council’s framework calls for both agreements to be negotiated together and take effect at the same time. It says the contribution should reflect the size of Britain’s economy and the extent of market access it seeks.
The Council says closer integration would require Britain to align its electricity rules with EU rules. It argues that a closer framework could make cross-border power trading more efficient and encourage investment in electricity infrastructure, including renewable generation. The Council presents the contribution as a way to balance the benefits of market access.
The Guardian said UK officials were wary that a British contribution might finance infrastructure projects in poorer EU regions, including in central and eastern Europe. The outlet also noted that UK talks to join the EU’s SAFE defense fund collapsed last year over a dispute about the required contribution.
The British government says leaders at the Nov. 20 summit will review progress and agree on practical next steps for cooperation. Falconer said the electricity issue would be discussed after the summit, The Guardian reported.
