VDM Khodzharova, N: Single Voice Or Cacophony?

The growing importance of energy needs and concerns is on the agenda of domestic and foreign policy makers alike in today s energy dependent world. The European Union, representing one of the largest economies and energy consumers in the world, has come to a crossroads in defining its energy policy, in light of the current and future energy dependence of its member states. This thesis captures and conceptualizes the problematic of formulating a coherent energy policy on the EU institutions level, as viewed from the member states perspectives. It will seek to explore the interplay between various factors on multiple levels, which either drive the integration in energy policy or bring it closer to a deadlock. This can be done by making use of EU integration theories that have successfully examined the integration process across time and space in various policy areas