Euro-Mediterranean Conference endorses Action Plan on energy cooperation

The 5th Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Energy heldin Limassol Monday endorsed a comprehensive Priority Action Plan for the Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation, running from 2008-2013.
Speaking during a joint press conference with EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and the Portuguese Minister of Economy and Innovation Manuel Pinho, whose country is holding until the end of 2007 the six-month rotating EU Presidency, Cyprus Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Michaelides said that “the absence of Turkey from this Conference contradicts the spirit of fraternization between the peoples.”
He said that the example of the Palestinian Authority and Israel could become a lesson for Turkey that through dialogue on such important issues can sometimes bridge the gap regarding political differences.
As regards Cyprus contribution to the organization of this Conference, Michaelides said that the long-standing and friendly relations which Cyprus has with all its neighboring countries as well as with other countries contributed to the fact that this Conference constitutes a milestone for Cyprus, the EU and the rest Mediterranean countries.
Michaelides also noted that energy issues are attracting that attention of all countries and especially of the EU and other Mediterranean countries, noting that the Conference was very successful.
On his part Pinho said that the EU will do its outmost to use the various means aiming at the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
He said that the three main priorities set out by the Conference is the improvement of the harmonization and the integration of the energy markets in the region, the promotion of the development of the energy sector and the development of initiatives in fields of common interest as infrastructure, investments, research and development.
Commissioner Piebalgs said that the European Investment Bank can contribute to the implementation of the action plan, by financing it with 12.4 billion euro.
Algeria’s Minister for Energy and Mines Chakib Khelil said that his country supplies 90% of its gas to Europe and that Algeria supports the outcome of the Conference.