Non-EU countries can influence EU energy policy by having access to EU decision-making venues and power resources. The study looked at nine Southeast and East European countries, Switzerland, and Norway to see how they influence EU energy policy. The analysis found that Switzerland and Norway can shape EU energy policy, sometimes even more than smaller EU countries. This shows that non-EU countries don't just follow EU rules but can also make their own preferences heard. This has implications for future EU-UK energy relations and challenges the idea that the EU controls energy regulations in the region.