27/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - Luxembourg Green MEP Claude Turmes has reacted to Tony Blair's speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, saying that some of his rhetoric on energy was 'empty' (see EUROPE 9057). Tony Blair had been asked about energy policy by the Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group, Monica Frassoni and before answering he joked to MEPs that 'as Henry VIII told his wives: I won't keep you long.' Claude Turmes said: 'Tony Blair is right to put energy at the heart of EU policy-making. Europe and the world face an immense challenge to limit climate change and to ensure the security of energy supplies… Blair is also right to point out that increasing energy efficiency is the key answer to these challenges. But the rest of Blair's rhetoric is, alas empty. If he meant what he said, his government would act differently on an important piece of legislation currently tabled: the energy efficiency services directive… Failing to have a concrete decision on this directive during the UK Presidency will destroy Blair's remaining credibility on the energy question.' Turmes said Blair was 'trying to bring about a nuclear renewal. This is not the way to win the hearts and minds of European citizens.'