European Union (EU) foreign policy-makers on Thursday said that securing oil and gas supplies is a top priority of the 25-nation bloc's foreign policy.

In a paper to be discussed by the ongoing EU summit, EU executive European Commission and Javier Solana, secretary general of the European Council, said the energy-hungry bloc must work on an array of diplomatic fronts to meet its growing energy needs.

"In order to enhance the external security of energy suppliers of the EU, it is important that a coherent approach should be adopted," said Solana.

The report, spotlighting some of the union's key energy priorities in the coming years, says EU governments must back up their national energy policies through joint action to forge stronger partnerships with energy-exporting nations, including Russia.

Furthermore, common efforts to talk to emerging consumers, like China and India, on reining in runaway energy consumption were also required, according to the paper.

Among 10 so-called guiding principles identified in the report, are plans for "energy partnerships" with oil and gas exporters, efforts to improve production and export capacities in energy- producing countries, and moves to upgrade energy transport infrastructure, including the building of new gas pipelines.

While the focus must be on ensuring the good functioning of world energy markets, the EU must also pay more attention to diversifying its energy supplies and investing in new energy sources, the report says.

The strategy document is expected to be the basis of an Energy Policy for Europe and an overall action plan to be agreed in EU's spring summit next year.

Source: Xinhua