© Charles Caratini/ EU Council, Luxembourg

How does Germany benefit from cooperation on energy?

Sigmar Gabriel: What we achieved today will be regarded as a milestone of European energy policy in a few years: we have agreed on what we - i.e. all Germany's 'electrical neighbours', which includes Norway and Sweden - will assure each other of security of supply. We are no longer focusing on the national market; rather, we are paying more attention to regional markets. This will help us to save money and to enhance efficiency. This means that Germany is no longer looking at its energy transition only from a national point of view. To be honest, in the last few years there have been growing concerns in the rest of Europe that Germany may be looking only at its own situation without taking adequate account of the impact on its neighbouring countries. Those days are finally over. It is a great advantage for consumers when we assure each other of security of supply instead of creating overcapacities. This is a great step forward.

But the declaration has not been signed by all European states. Are there doubts in Europe?

There are first of all geographical limits: we must of course start the cooperation with those countries with which we have direct links. The European Commission expects that the rest of Europe will follow this example. For this purpose, we will have to invest a lot in grid expansion. Cooperation has now been launched with the countries that are currently able to participate. We are talking about no fewer than 12 states. That's quite a lot.

Do you believe that the market for renewable energies in Europe can also become larger as a consequence?

This is what we aim at: a larger market. And we must make sure that we will not create more capacities than we really need. From a national point of view, we need to look at the day with the highest likely load. From a regional perspective, however, we can help each other. We need to connect our electricity grids. That's going well - I am very glad to say.