EU Ministers to prepare draft conclusions on energy policy

EU Energy Ministers, meeting on Monday in Nicosia, will exchange views on renewable energy and transeuropean energy infrastructure, with a view to shaping the draft conclusions which will give the general orientation on the Council Conclusions to be adopted in December.

In statements to CNA, on arrival at the Filoxenia Conference Centre, where the Informal Energy Ministers’ Meeting takes place, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis has said that Europe’s policies must aim at maintaining its leadership status in the renewable energy sector.

“We have the Commission Communication of June 6th and the Cyprus Presidency aims at the adoption of Council Conclusions at the December Energy Council, which will constitute Europe’s future policy on renewable energy. At today’s meeting we will shape the draft conclusions, expected to be released on September 21”, Sylikiotis said.

It is time that Europe has set its intermediate targets, he pointed out, recalling that there is already an energy road map until 2050. “The EU has set its targets for renewable energy until 2020 and through this discussion I think we will adopt conclusions and set targets until 2030,” Sylikiotis added.

In relation to trans-european energy infrastructure, which will be discussed during the afternoon session of the Informal Meeting, Sylikiotis stressed that they are necessary in order for Europe to enhance its efficiency and energy security, gain growth and create more new jobs.