Brussels, 11/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, Luxembourg MEP Claude Turmes (Green Party) criticised the Communication published the same day by the European Commission on developing hydrogen energy (see Europe of 11 September, p.14). In a press release, the MEP challenges the priorities of Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio (who jointly published the Communication) and the role of the high level hydrogen working group, commissioned by the Commission to make recommendations on developing hydrogen. Turmes says this is a pro-nuclear approach: "The hydrogen economy is not an end in itself. It should only be considered as part of a safe, secure and renewable-based energy future. If hydrogen comes form fossil fuel or nuclear sources then it is completely incompatible with a sustainable energy policy", he commented. "The Commission must therefore promote renewable energy first, and hydrogen - deriving from renewable sources - second. Not the other way round!"