Key Energy Players from EU/Mediterranean area

On 1^st November 2007 the European Commissioner for the External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner presided the Conference of Sharm El Sheikh on Energy together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ahned Aboul Gheit with the participation of Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. The participants of about 68 countries from the EU, Africa and the Middle East discussed co-operation in enhancing regional energy security, addressing climate change and improving access to energy services. The intent was to make come together state officials, representatives and officers from regional and international organizations (i.e. European Investment Bank, Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, African Union and the African Development Bank, etc.) and identify issues of common interests and areas for trans-regional co-operation in the energy sector for hydrocarbons an renewables, predictability of demand, investments and technology transfer, energy infrastructures as well as energy efficiency, securing energy supplies sustainable energy production and use of common interest. The aim is to provide an added value to the existing Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation and the EU-GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council).  “We are determined to expand our network of energy partners by building on bilateral partnerships and regional initiatives", said Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The idea behind the initiative is to turn EU attention not only to East but also to South. “We are fully aware that the combined energy potential of the three regions gathered here represents a global market of more than 1.5 Billion consumers”. According to EU Commissioner “Egypt can play a key role as a bridge between our energy partners in Africa an the Middle East”. In his opening address the hosting Country Minister Ahned Aboul Gheit expressed the conviction that the issues linked to energy are a major concern in today’s world, he also underlined the importance of addressing such issues within an integrated mechanism of three focal points: the Arab region, the African region, and the Euro-Mediterranean region. The Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stated that “A comprehensive Africa-Europe Energy partnership is one of the priorities for a real European Foreign Energy Policy”. The other participants as well stressed their interest in undertaking joint efforts in order to support the economic growth and provide access to energy services in all concerned regions.

(Vincenza De Tommaso)