President Barack Obama has called on his European counterparts to move toward diversifying their countries’ energy portfolio to secure regional supply, The Hill newspaper reported Tuesday.Justin Sink writes that Obama noted the crisis in Ukraine underscored what he sees as the importance of having independent energy.
Obama urged leaders to consider a proposed transatlantic trade pact, which would open up U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to European allies.
“One of the benefits of a strong trade agreement is it is much easier for me to approve natural gas exports to countries with which we already have a free trade agreement,” he said.
The president made the remarks during a visit to Poland, the first leg of his tour of Europe this week.
According to reports, the Ukrainian crisis has threatened to cut off natural gas supply into Europe, which comprises 15 percent of the region’s energy needs.
