Energy Policy of the European Union and Importance of the Energy Resources of Azerbaijan: Neo-functionalist and Liberal Intergovernmentalist Approach.

Abstract

As a second biggest energy consumer of the world European Union aims to get cheaper, more qualified and uninterrupted energy service to its consumers. Targets of the Energy policy of the European Union are to strengthen competition capacity, provide secure energy supple, protect environment, reduce share of coal, increase share of natural gas in total energy consumption, realization secure nuclear energy and encourage renewable energy.

To provide necessary energy from outside particularly from Russia is not safe enough, as it proved itself several times. As stability in the Middle East region is very fragile, the Caspian region gains priority for providing alternative energy resources and transportation routes.

This article aims to analyze importance of energy resources of Azerbaijan for security of energy supply to the European Union. Also, common energy policy of the EU was examined using comparison between Neo-functionalism and Liberal Intergovernmentalism.

Key words: European Union, Energy Policy, Azerbaijan, oil, natural gas, NABUCCO, integration theory.