Brussels, 15/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels on Friday within the framework of the EU-Norway energy dialogue, energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Norwegian energy minister Odd Enoksen reaffirmed their mutual interest in close consultation on energy matters. Mr Piebalgs again expressed his wish that Norway joins the Energy Community very soon. Discussions focussed on the Commission's Green Paper and the future for oil and gas in the European Economic Area. Mr Piebalgs set out the main initiatives of the energy efficiency action plan which the Commission is due to adopt before the end of the month and the two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of good practice in this area. Mr Piebalgs and Mr Enoksen both stressed the importance of technological development in the energy sector, particularly carbon capture and storage technology and gas storage technology. Mr Piebalgs gave assurances that European the Norwegians “share the same ambitions” and Mr Enoksen announced that Norway's participation in the Community emission exchange scheme was being negotiated. He also confirmed that Norway would increase its offer of gas for the Community market: exports - 85 billion m3 in 2005 - are expected to go up to 130 billion m3 by 2010. He confirmed too that a new pipeline from Norway to the United Kingdom would be operational in 2007 and would supply 20 billion m3 of gas annually, thereby increasing its exports from 12 to 32 bullion m3 par year. “Norway will remain a stable energy supplier to the EU for many years to come,” Mr Enoksen said.
At the end of August, Messrs Piebalgs and Enoksen, set up a joint cooperation group, bringing together experts from DG Energy and the Norwegian energy ministry. This group, which met for the first time on Friday, will draft a working document on energy developments by 2020 and the areas where bilateral cooperation should be increased and will make proposals ahead of the ministerial in June 2007.