Brussels, 19/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - The third Euro-Mediterranean meeting of Energy Ministers will be held on 20-21 May in Athens under the joint presidency of Greece and Tunisia, with the participation of European Commission Vice President, Loyola de Palacio. The Fifteen, plus twelve countries from the region are involved in this meeting and Libya, which is invited as an observer, the same status as future EU Member States.
The meeting's main point on its agenda, it the adoption of the common work priorities centres on the activities of the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forum (see EUROPE 30 April p 15). These priorities will be listed in the form of a joint declaration, which should outline the objective of creating a triple Euro-Mediterranean network in electricity, gas and transporting hydrocarbons in all countries in the region. The extension of these networks to resources through the Arab peninsula is planned. The European Commission is expected to soon announce its choice of where to place oil wells, paying attention to pollution dangers, particularly in the Mediterranean, where it is ecologically vulnerable. These priorities are taken up in the strategy for building with "neighbouring countries", which was recently published by the European Commission. The conference is also expected to highlight the need to promote energy efficiency, renewable sources and interconnections, as well as facilitating funding for energy infrastructures. The Euro-Mediterranean Facility for Partnership Investment being called on to play a specific role.