Commission Launches High-Level Dialogue with the European Refining Sector

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October 30, 2026

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(European Commission) The European Commission launched today the first High-Level Dialogue with the European refining industry to discuss how to strengthen Europe’s energy security, defence readiness and industrial competitiveness in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

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Participants exchanged views on the main pressures facing the sector, including high energy costs, global competition and investment needs on the pathway towards sustainable biofuels and e-fuels. The Commission underlined the importance of a coordinated approach to support the transformation of the refining industry, while safeguarding jobs, industrial competitiveness and the EU’s strategic interests. Attention was paid to preserving Europe's strategic fuel production capabilities in the longer-term, while supporting investment in alternative fuels and ensuring that the sector can continue to meet the EU's energy security and defence readiness needs.

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Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, said:

“Today’s dialogue has been very fruitful, but it has been a first step. We will work to increase outputs from refining assets in Europe, because ultimately, we need to bring fuel prices down. But the work does not stop in the “here and now” of the crisis. Crises are also opportunities. We need to create an environment that supports sufficient domestic fuel production in Europe as well as long-term viability of European refining as the EU decarbonises. This is why, together with the sector, we will work on a joint roadmap on its transformation and contribution to the EU’s security objectives and in line with our climate ambition”

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, said:

“I am always quoting a very famous American historical figure, General John Pershing, who was leading American troops on the European continent during the First World War, who said very simple truth: the battles are won by infantries, the wars are won by logistics. And fuel supplies are the biggest part of what we can call logistics. Proper fuel supplies to our militaries are crucial in our defence readiness. So definitely it is an obvious truth that defence without fuel is impossible.”

Background

Oil refining is a strategic asset for Europe's energy security, industrial competitiveness and defence readiness. EU refineries supply about 70% of jet fuel and 85% of diesel consumed in Europe. More than 90% of transport depend on oil, globally. Diesel and jet fuel are essential for mobility, the economy and defence.

The Dialogue on European refineries was announced by President von der Leyen on 6 October. Today’s meeting marks the start of a broader engagement process. The outcomes will help identify shared priorities and possible actions to support the sector’s clean energy transition and long-term viability in Europe, while strengthening the resilience of Europe's fuel supply chains and ensuring the availability of strategic fuels for civilian and defence needs.

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Excerpt from Fuels Europe: From Strategic Dialogue to European strategy

The Commission’s own concept for the dialogue recognises the two sides of this challenge: how to increase and sustain European production capacity in the short term, and how to preserve refining in Europe as a viable business in the longer term, including the production of alternative fuels and feedstocks for chemicals, and other industries.

For FuelsEurope, the next phase must now translate this political recognition into action. Europe needs an approach that protects the competitiveness of its refining industry while creating the conditions for investment in its transformation. That means ensuring an effective carbon leakage protection, securing broader access to sustainable feedstocks, creating long-term markets for renewable and low-carbon fuels, and developing derisking instruments for major industrial investments.

FuelsEurope therefore welcomes the commitment made today to continue this first Strategic Dialogue with future high-level meetings, alongside the technical workstreams.

Liana Gouta, Director General FuelsEurope, said: “Today was a strong and constructive start. Europe has recognised that refining is not an industry of the past. It is strategic to EU citizens, our economy, our security, our defence, and our transition.” She furthermore stressed: “Our industry is ready to contribute immediately to strengthening Europe’s resilience. But we must look beyond the immediate pressures. European refining is a sector at risk, and without competitive refineries today, there can be no transformation into the renewable and low-carbon production hubs Europe needs tomorrow.”

Liana Gouta concluded: “Today’s commitment to a joint transformation roadmap, dedicated technical workstreams and a further Strategic Dialogue gives us a clear path forward. Our industry stands ready to play its full part in developing the ambitious European Refining Strategy announced by President von der Leyen. Together, we must now turn political recognition into concrete action that strengthens competitiveness, safeguards critical industrial capacity and unlocks investment in Europe’s refining transformation.” READ MORE

Excerpt from EU News: The Danish official also noted that, in the long term, “refineries and new entrants to the sector will need to embark on a path towards increased biofuel production,” because “the potential is considerable,” given that “the production of renewable liquid fuels has already partly offset the reduction in refining capacity in Europe.” As part of this dialogue, “we will work towards a shared roadmap for its transformation, so that it can contribute to the EU’s security objectives, in line with our climate ambitions,” he emphasised. But all this is for the long term, because in the short term Europe’s focus remains firmly on fossil fuels. “An adequate supply of fuel for our armed forces,” commented Kubilius, “is crucial for our defence readiness” because “without fuel, defence is impossible.” But “without traditional fossil fuels for many years to come, defence will not be possible,” he emphasised.

At a press conference, Kubilius outlined the four key points of the meeting. “Firstly, we need adequate production capacity for fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels, with a view to the long term,” the Commissioner explained. Secondly, maintaining “sufficient refining capacity, taking into account the transition the refining sector is undergoing and the need for our refining industries to remain competitive.” The third point is ensuring access to supplies. In other words, “we must ensure we are able to transport fuels in the event of a crisis.” And finally, “we must address the resilience of our critical fuel infrastructure.” This means “protecting this infrastructure, but also examining very concrete projects, for example, on how to upgrade the capacity of the Central European pipeline system that was built during the Cold War.” Furthermore, according to the Defence Commissioner, “the current system is concentrated in the western part of Europe; we must therefore assess how to expand this infrastructure to facilitate supplies to the eastern flank.”

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The EU is therefore aiming to increase the capacity of its refineries. This is despite the temperatures of recent months, which have been described in Brussels as the “summer of truth”. According to Copernicus, “the summer of 2026 in Europe was characterised by persistent heat, record-breaking heat stress, severe drought conditions, exceptionally low river flows and widespread forest fires. Western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, while Europe as a whole recorded its third-hottest summer.” READ MORE