16. 11. 77 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 292/9 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 7 November 1977 on the setting of a Community target for a reduction in the consumption of primary sources of energy in the event of difficulties in the supply of crude oil and petroleum products (77/706/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 103 (4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas the establishment of a common energy policy is one of the objectives which the Community has set itself; whereas the Commission should propose the measures to be taken to this end; Whereas the establishment of genuine solidarity between the Member States in the event of supply difficulties is one of the basic requirements for a Community energy policy ; Whereas the Council passed Directive 73/238/EEC of 24 July 1973 on measures to mitigate the effects of difficulties in the supply of crude oil and petroleum products (1) ; Whereas the Council passed Directive 68/414/EEC of 20 December 1968 imposing an obligation on Member States of the EEC to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products (?), as amended by Directive 72/425/EEC (?); (') OJ No L 228, 16. 9. 1973, p. 1. (2) O] No L 308, 23. 12. 1968, p. 14. () O] No L 291, 28. 12. 1972, p. 154. Wherzas in the event of supply difficulties, consump- tion of energy in the Community should be reduced in accordance with the foreseeable trend of availability and with possible drawings on the emergency stocks ; Whereas it is necessary to set a common target in order to safeguard the unity of the market and to ensure that all users of energy within the Community bear a fair share of the difficulties arising from the crisis ; Whereas, in taking measures to meet the Community target for a reduction in energy consumption, Member States will have regard to the structure of their parti- cular markets, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1.  Where difficulties arise in the supply of crude oil or petroleum products in one or more Member States, the Commission, acting at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative and after consulting the group provided for in Directive 73/238/EEC, may set a target for reducing consumption of petroleum products in the Community as a whole by up to 10 % of normal consumption. This decision shall be appli- cable for a maximum of two months.