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The Council had an exchange of views on the Energy Union, addressing in particular issues such as energy security, completion of the internal energy market, energy efficiency, decarbonisation of the economy and competitiveness.
The key elements of the debate will be forwarded to the President of the European Council as a contribution to the March European Council.
The Latvian Minister for Economy, Ms Dana Reizniece-Ozola, said: "We need an overarching and strong policy upgrade to address the challenges the EU faces on energy security, competitiveness and its path towards a low-carbon economy. The concerns of EU citizens about energy security in difficult geopolitical times, jobs, sustainable mobility or their energy bills must be at the centre of this policy response".
The Council also held a policy debate on developments and priorities for energy infrastructure, as a means to achieve a fully functioning and interconnected European internal energy market.
Ministers addressed in particular regional cooperation, financing of energy infrastructure and measures to end energy isolation in order to achieve the 10% target of existing electricity interconnections by 2020.
The outcome of the debate will serve as contribution from the Energy Council to the Presidency's synthesis report on Europe 2020 strategy.
Latvian Minister for Economy, Ms Dana Reizniece-Ozola, stated: "It is urgent to achieve a fully functioning and interconnected European internal energy market to secure the uninterrupted supply of energy throughout Europe. Increased regional cooperation can substantially contribute to ending isolation and achieving the 10% electricity interconnection target by 2020".
