On 6 October 2014, Alenka Bratušek, Vice-President designate of the EC in charge of the Energy Union, was heard by the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy, and on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament to test her general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to her portfolio. Alenka Bratušek had the opportunity to make an opening statement, took part in a question and answer session and made a closing statement. Although the Parliament can only vote on the Commission as a whole, a negative assessment of one of the candidates has in the past already led to the candidacy being withdrawn and replaced. From 2013 to 2014, Alenka Bratušek was Prime Minister in her country, Slovenia.

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

statement

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

hearing

2014 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Alenka BRATUŠEK (T)

BRATUŠEK, Alenka (SI)

Hearing of Alenka BRATUŠEK (Slovenia), Vice-President designate for Energy Union: extracts from the statement by Alenka BRATUŠEK

Interior, Arrival of Commissioner-designate Alenka BRATU&Scaron;EK, (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Alenka BRATU&#352;EK, Vice-President designate for Energy Union:, "I and my generation know that EU is the place where we belong, it is the solution, not the problem. And creating an energy union bringing together Member states in the area of energy and climate policies has every chance of becoming a building block in Europe's strategy to overcome this crisis."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alenka BRATU&#352;EK, Vice-President designate for Energy Union:, "My home country is not the only EU Member states which due to geographical position is exposed to energy security risks, such as a strong dependence on a single non-EU-supplier. I therefore do not to be convinced that no EU Member state can tackle its energy challenges on its own. The energy challenges that we are facing require more than ever before a strong united Europe speaking with one voice at the international level and a well-functioning internal energy market."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alenka BRATU&#352;EK, Vice-President designate for Energy Union:, "Dependence of imports is a reason by itself, but when combined with single partner things can steer out of control. The fact is that 6 Member states completely rely on just one foreign source for their gas supply, while in many others the exposure exceeds 60%. This figure serves to show the relevance of your vision, the vision of EU Member states gathering in a resilient Energy Union with forward looking climate policy."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alenka BRATU&#352;EK, Vice-President designate for Energy Union:, "Achieving our climate objectives while at the same time enhancing the competitiveness, the European industry must remind the top priority of our agenda. I firmly believe that making the internal Energy market an irreversible reality of implementing our agreed climate targets, starting with the 2020 package, in combination with a large scale investment package as announced by Mr Juncker have to be key in any sound response to both, the economic and climate change challenges of our time. Only accelerated investment in energy infrastructure, in clean environment friendly technologies and most importantly in green efficiency can get us out of the energy dilemma."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alenka BRATU&#352;EK, Vice-President designate for Energy Union:, "Europe has shown in the past that it is possible to achieve economy growth and to reduce energy consumption at the same time, but we need to go further and our citizens are aware of it. If you conceive that nearly 60 % of our energy is used for heating or cooling it becomes obvious that the potential of saving is far from exhausted."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alenka BRATU&#352;EK, Vice-President designate for Energy Union:, "I will coordinate and steer the work of my fellow Commissioners in the part concerning the Energy Union. My task will be to ensure that ideas and solutions from single areas of expertise are integrated into strategic sound and well-coordinated action. In addition I will provide every support to Vice-President Kaitanen as regards the first top priority, jobs, growth and investments."