Germany out to thwart EU partners

Even before the revolution in Libya is over we read of member States of the EU and their companies clamouring to do deals for Libyan oil.

Obviously NATO members that have supported the revolution against Gadaffi are expected to be in the new Libyan’s good books.

The ancient Libyan Berber tribes have been subjected to invasions and governance by foreign powers over a thousand years starting with the Romans pre BC.

The vast, sub-tropical coastline for trading and now the oil reserves, (read ‘Energy’ in an ever-increasing energy-poor world) are an attractive trading provider.

Italy, in the form of the Romans, have never gone away and, hundreds of years later, by 1914, the Italians were back colonising the country.

Their investment in infrastructure promoted the country to a sought-after trading nation.

Gaddafi’s rise to power in 1969 lead to the expulsion of all Italians from Libya when few were ever being able to return.

Now the tables are turned and Italy’s membership of NATO, coupled with their historical links, are an attractive trading friend.

Yes, Britain, the US and Germany, also members of NATO and deeply involved with Libya’s recent freedom from oppression, stand a good chance of acquiring oil trading contracts with the new regime, however, Germany, the rich member State of the EU, is worried that Italy, Britain, France and others may step into secure oil contracts in preference to them.

Consequently German EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger, is considering proposing that, in future, all oil and gas agreements, reached by EU member states with third countries, be rubber-stamped in Brussels (a roundabout way of getting a veto on any preferential deals between Libya and EU member states).

Well, this is just typical of the way that the unelected EU Commissioners behave.

They abhor democracy and, let’s face it, are only in it for themselves and their country, albeit their EU nation State, Germany.

Putting it simply, Germany, the power within the EU, doesn’t want to be left out in the cold and has all sorts of tricks up its sleeve to thwart the endeavours of its ‘partner’ EU nation States.

Hopefully the new Libyan’s will evaluate what is best for them.

Let’s hope that a bit of history will influence their oil contract decisions that will lead to cheaper prices on East Sussex High Streets and benefit our county’s residents!

Tony Smith

Brownbread Stud

Ashburnham