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==Relevance==
[[File:gasSupplyReducing.jpg|thumbnail|[http://iee-empowering.eu/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2-Recent-Policy-Initiatives-by-the-European-Commission_M.SANCHEZ.pdf Source]]]
Domestic gas production in North West Europe is declining. EU countries face three options: cutting back on consumption, develop their shale gas resources or increasing imports. Given that the reform of the EU’s emission trading system (ETS) will lead to a coal-to-gas switching in the electricity sector, natural gas will continue to play an important role in European energy demand. Additionally, renewable energies will show strong growth but, despite their centrality in switching to a green energy market, will still need to be complemented by gas<ref>[http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=124714 The Baltic Course analytics]</ref>. In 2016, Europe imported 53.5% of its energy needs<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Energy_production_and_imports Eurostat: Energy Production Statistics 2016]</ref>. Therefore the EU is working to develop a new foreign policy which will further secure gas supply in the future.
==Background==
