Brussels, 22/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - Following discussions with representatives of Belgian civil society (social partners, opinion groups, and NGOs), Belgian Energy Minister Paul Magnette said on 19 March that, in the near future, he would inform European Energy Commissioner Günter Oettinger of his intention to make energy efficiency the main objective of the Energy Council under Belgian Presidency in the second half of this year, beginning in the informal meeting in Brussels on 19-20 July. Belgian agency Belga reports that the representatives of civil society told the minister that there was a need for greater regulation and more market transparency in renewable energies, if the necessary investment was to be found. Universal access to energy and the protection of energy sector consumers were also issues which the minister said were strongly defended by civil society. (E.H./transl.rt)