Trade deal would ease U.S. gas exports to Europe: Obama

[friendly_iconoclast]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/26/us-usa-eu-summit-energy-idUSBREA2P12P20140326

Trade deal would ease U.S. gas exports to Europe: Obama
10:13am EDT

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A new transatlantic trade deal currently under negotiation would make it easier for the United States to export gas to Europe and help it reduce its dependency on Russian energy, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday.

"Once we have a trade agreement in place, export licences for projects for liquefied natural gas destined to Europe would be much easier, something that is obviously relevant in today's geopolitical environment," Obama told a news conference after meeting EU leaders, adding that it could not happen overnight.

EU negotiators are pressing U.S. counterparts to agree to allow exports of LNG to the European Union in part to lessen its reliance on Russia, which provides about one-third of Europe's oil and gas supplies, 40 percent of it through Ukraine.

(Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Paul Taylor)

The EU and the Obama administration are both looking forward to US gas exports to
Europe:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/26/eu-us-summit-joint-statement

EU-US Summit: Joint Statement

...9. Energy is a key component in the transition to a competitive low-carbon economy and achieving long-term sustainable economic development. The EU-US Energy Council fosters cooperation on energy security, regulatory frameworks that encourage the efficient and sustainable use of energy, and joint research priorities that promote safe and sustainable energy technologies. The situation in Ukraine proves the need to reinforce energy security in Europe and we are considering new collaborative efforts to achieve this goal. We welcome the prospect of U.S. LNG exports in the future since additional global supplies will benefit Europe and other strategic partners. We agree on the importance of redoubling transatlantic efforts to support European energy security to further diversify energy sources and suppliers and to allow for reverse natural gas flows to Ukraine from its EU neighbours.

[Kaleva]

1. Thanks for posting. Rec'd.