15/10/2004
European Commission Vice-President Loyola de Palacio, in charge of Energy and Transport, today joined Energy Ministers from the Maghreb, the Mashreq, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and EU Member states for the launch of the Rome Euro-Mediterranean Energy Platform (REMEP).
At the invitation of the Italian Minister of Production Activities, Mr Marzano, the Commissioner joined the Mediterranean Energy Ministers in the launch of the Rome Euro-Mediterranean Energy Platform (REMEP). This platform will serve of a focal point for enhancing co-operation between the EU and its Mediterranean partner countries by ensuring the practical implementation of the important regional initiatives agreed at the Ministerial meeting in Rome on 1-2 December 2003, as well as for other actions of common interest which may be identified.
The meeting also reviewed the practical progress achieved and welcomed the announcement by Vice-President de Palacio of the financial envelope of €14 million which has been assigned under the MEDA Neighbourhood Programme 2004 for technical assistance to three priority Euro-Mediterranean projects, namely:
- The progressive integration of the Maghreb electricity market with a view to its eventual integration with the EU’s internal electricity market;
- The progressive integration of the Mashreq gas market with a view to its eventual integration with the EU’s internal gas market;
- Energy co-operation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
In presenting this financial envelope and welcoming the launch of the REMEP, Vice President de Palacio declared that “As my term of office as Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Energy and Transport comes towards an end, I am very pleased that we have been able to establish not only concrete policy objectives for the Euro-Mediterranean energy partnership but also set up the mechanism and means to achieve significant progress”.
During the meeting, it was also agreed to enhance EU-Mashreq co-operation in the gas sector and to locate the office to co-ordinate this initiative in Damascus.
On the fringes of the meeting, Loyola de Palacio met with the ministers from Israel and the Palestinian Authority to assess the energy co-operation between them. As a result of the discussions, it was agreed to open a joint Israel-Palestinian Authority energy office.
Loyola de Palacio-leer más-
Commissioner's page of Loyola de Palacio, vice-presidente of the European Commission.
