Brussels, 14/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - For their first meeting under Cypriot presidency within the framework of informal debates in Nicosia, on Monday 17 September, European energy ministers will endeavour to make headway on two essential issues for the future of EU energy: the strategy for an upswing in the use of renewables, and the regulation on trans-European energy infrastructure.
Ministers will hold an exchange of views on support for renewable energies up to and after 2020, based on guidelines set out early June by the Commission (see EUROPE 10628). The Cypriot presidency's intention is to draft conclusions to be submitted to the Council by the end of the year based on opinions expressed on Monday concerning the four key areas where effort must be made, listed by the Commission, i.e.: integration of renewables in the energy market; coordination of support schemes for taking advantage of best practices and providing a stable investment environment; greater use of cooperation mechanism according to the renewable energy sources (RES) directive; and the use of renewables for strengthening relations between the EU and its partners of the Mediterranean region.
The second session of work will be devoted to the draft regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (see EUROPE 10475-10477), with opinions voiced by the different capitals serving to help the presidency to finalise its negotiation mandate and, if possible, to conclude talks with the European Parliament by the end of the year.
Two Parliament rapporteurs, Claude Turmes (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) on the RES directive of 2009, and Antonio Fernando Correia De Campos (S&D, Portugal) on infrastructure, will take part in the work to be chaired by the Cypriot minister, Neoklis Sylikiotis, and Commissioner Günther Oettinger. (EH/transl.jl)