1. Recalls that having secure, sustainable and competitive energy and adequate, integrated and reliable energy networks with effective internal connections represents one of the main future challenges for all EU regions; underlines that the upgrading and renewal of energy infrastructure, the promotion of trans-European energy networks and renewable energy sources, the development of domestic electricity and gas connections and the integration of isolated parts of the EU into the European energy market are essential factors for achieving the 20-20-20 targets as well as the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy; notes that in a number of countries the level of interconnection is below the threshold of 10%; stresses that EU energy policy m ...[+++]ust be coordinated and defined at continental level, and that European networks connected to neighbouring countries would stimulate competition on the common European energy market and increase solidarity among Member States; believes that the Union, Member States and regional authorities must cooperate in this context to improve not only cross-border infrastructure but also infrastructure that allows the transmission to and from transmission highways and the distribution on national level; underlines that regional and local authorities in cooperation with national ‘one-stop shops’ play an important role in sustainable planning, in the authorisation processes as well as in promoting energy infrastructure projects (EIPs) to the general population;

2. Believes that the Internal Market Information System and the points of single contact – because they demand a great effort of administrative cooperation between all the authorities involved – may pave the way for further interoperability and networking at national, regional and local level across the EU; considers that the establishment of rules and procedures regarding the operation thereof must allow for a degree of flexibility in accordance with regional diversity at EU level and that, for this purpose, any measures should be adopted in partnership and after genuine debate at local and regional level; takes the view that, in addi ...[+++]tion, the points of single contact should be encouraged to adhere to the principle of multilingualism so that administrative procedures are more closely geared to needs, and effective, direct and rapid communication is facilitated; takes the view that it would be useful here for the points of single contact to have multilingual websites; notes, however the need to ensure that this does not impose additional burdens on the parties concerned, especially local and regional authorities;

These include general analysis and forecasting, weather radar and satellite observations, surface and upper-air observation networks, meteorological communication systems, data-processing centres and supporting core research, training and administration,

These include general analysis and forecasting, weather radar and satellite observations, surface and upper-air observation networks, meteorological communication systems, data-processing centres and supporting core research, training and administration,

It is not possible to enter here into the scientific merits of the theory that our planet is undergoing climate change on a geological time scale – a theory about which researchers are not in agreement – partly because of the limitations of meteorological observations in time and space.

For routine global observation of atmosphere and oceans, ESA should ensure coordination with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), which liaises with the meteorological service providers to compile their space observation needs.