Brussels, 16/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the Commission is to adopt a Communication on energy cooperation with developing countries. Acknowledging that "energy is not a priority sector of Community development cooperation policy" and that "the share of the projects devoted to development from the overall Community aid amount since 1990 has been less than 5%", the Communication proposes better integration of energy into the concept of sustainable development.
Developing countries will substantially increase their demand for oil, gas, coal and nuclear energy (especially in Asia) over the next few years. In order to counter the economic difficulties of these countries and the environmental problems caused by this rise in the use of energy, the Communication recommends that: (1) energy be integrated in the EU development aid programmes and the financial allocation to this increased; (2) European experts be posted to developing countries to provide technical assistance in order to allow these countries to set a regulatory framework in place to boost foreign private investment; (3) the transfer of EU technologies be assured towards these countries in order to allow them to improve their energy efficiency, and the diversification and rational use of energy sources, etc.; (4) part of the international cooperation funds be devoted to the establishment of networks of EU energy agencies and existing or future equivalent centres in developing countries; and that (5) regional cooperation be encouraged.