Regardless of the energy policies the European Union chooses to implement, we already know that crude petroleum will continue to be the main energy source used in our countries for several decades to come.

Currently, our most important suppliers are Russia (32%) and Norway (16%).

In all, we will depend on imports for about 90% of our energy needs for many more years.

*
**

Our situation has gradually deteriorated further during these unfavourable times as a result of a disequilibrium, affecting the refining industry, between production and the demand this production must meet.

Demand in the road transport sector has changed significantly; given that diesel fuels are increasingly in demand to the detriment of petrol, European refining now faces excess petrol production and a deficit in diesel fuel production.

The result is that the European petroleum sector needs to export petrol and is compelled to import diesel fuel.

Where can we find diesel fuel supplies on the world market?

First, in Russia which is already our main crude petroleum supplier. This will further increase our dependency on this country for our energy supplies.

This type of situation, which is not often known or understood, also affects sectors other than road transport. It is to expose and debate this issue that, at the invitation of Europia, one of its associate members, the European Energy Forum will organise its next dinner-debate during the next plenary session of the European Parliament.