The extensive agenda for the European Council meeting focused on the European Energy Union and ensuring secure and reliable energy supplies in EU member states. Chancellor Angela Merkel termed the Energy Union a balanced concept. It is now a "common European priority", which brings together the imperatives of the Single Market, energy efficiency and the 2030 climate change mitigation targets in a rational manner.

Securing energy supplies in Europe

"We have affirmed our clear commitment to market-economy and competition-based approaches, and have said that these are our focuses," reported Angela Merkel. Participants advocated transparency in conjunction with gas supply contracts, although confidentiality must be respected, said the Chancellor.

EU energy supply – facts and figures

• Six member states purchase all their imported gas from one supplier in a non-EU state.

• The EU imports 90 per cent of its oil and 66 per cent of its gas.

• 75 per cent of the building stock in the EU is not currently energy efficient.

• A total of 94 per cent of traffic and transport depends on oil products, 90 per cent of which are imported.

• The wholesale price of electricity in the EU is 30 per cent higher than in the USA, while wholesale gas prices are more than double those in the USA.

• Making more economical use of energy and shifting to renewable energies is not only essential for our future, it creates new jobs and generates growth.

In October 2014 the European Council agreed on the framework climate and energy policy for the period up to 2030. The aim is to make the EU’s economy and energy system more competitive, more secure and more sustainable. That is why the heads of state and government agreed, for instance, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent of the 1990 levels by 2030. The percentage of energy consumed generated from renewables is also to rise by a minimum of 27 per cent.

Acting together, solving problems together

The heads of state and government also discussed the realisation of the European Fund for Strategic Investments and the status of negotiations on TTIP, the free trade agreement with the USA. The Chancellor confirmed the common goal of finalising the TTIP negotiations by the end of 2015. She once again welcomed the transparency initiative launched by the European Commission.

Speaking on Thursday in the German Bundestag, the Chancellor pointed to the major opportunities that TTIP offers. "Without customs duties and unnecessary red tape it will be much easier for our businesses to tap the enormous potential offered by the American market." Germany’s economic relations with the United States of America are strong and are becoming increasingly important to ensure continued prosperity, she added.

The European Council also looked at European economic policy. Participants pointed out that the digital agenda and cutting red tape are important to ensure that Europe remains competitive.

Greece to present list of reforms

At the end of the European Council meeting in Brussels the Chancellor reported that Greece would present a list of specific reforms.

"We have stressed once again that we stand by the resolutions taken by the Eurogroup on 20 February, that in the spirit of mutual trust we consider it our duty to accelerate work on implementing this statement of the Eurogroup," said Angela Merkel. She continued, "We once again affirmed our commitment to the process within which the assessment takes place. The political talks will thus take place in Brussels. The fact fining mission will continue to work in Athens."

In a government statement delivered in the German Bundestag before the European Council meeting the Chancellor explained that Greece must uphold its pledges and overhaul its budget so that it can manage one day without assistance. She also pointed to the cooperation among all European states.

"The world is looking at us, to see how we in the Eurozone deal with the problems and crises suffered by individual member states. The world will measures us against this yardstick, and it will respect Europe more if we can demonstrate that we act together and that we can resolve problems together," she declared. "The European Union is a community of peace, a community of stability and a community of liberty."

Angela Merkel also reported that bilateral cooperation between Germany and Greece will be on the agenda during the visit of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Berlin on Monday.

Working for peace

Other points on the agenda of the European Council meeting included preparations for the Eastern Partnership summit to be held in Riga on 21 and 22 May, as well as the conflict in Ukraine.

The Chancellor explained that the Eastern Partnership is not intended as an "either Russia or the EU" issue. It is intended to facilitate good relations with both. The European Council called for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. The length of time that the sanctions stay in place depends on the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

There was also consensus that a strategic communication plan should be produced by June 2015 to counter Russian propaganda in the Ukraine crisis.

The heads of state and government condemned the attack in Tunisia and discussed the crisis in Libya. As the Chancellor reported, the European Council supports the formation of a government of national unity. "Libya is the border to Europe. If the problems in Libya are not resolved, Europe too has a problem," said Angela Merkel.

On the sidelines of the Council meeting talks were also held on a nuclear agreement with Iran. Chancellor Angela Merkel reaffirmed the wish to see negotiations successfully concluded. The goal must be to achieve a credible agreement.