Brussels, 14/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - Wednesday's Energy Council kept its promise by reaching a political agreement on the draft directive aimed at promoting cogeneration (see other article). The Council also held a policy debate on proposals relating to security of EU energy supplies in oil and gas. While the Presidency considers that opinions were "identical" as to the need to secure EU energy supplies, the debates held seemed to confirm opposition from a majority of Member States to Community intervention in this connection. Ministers also held an exchange of views on follow-up to the Johannesburg Summit on sustainable development, and especially the question of EU goals with regards renewable energies. Finally, the Council adopted conclusions on the EU's relationship with third countries regarding energy, whereby it points out that it hopes to strengthen energy dialogue with Russia, Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation, the energy dimension in South East Europe and the northern dimension.