Brussels, 30/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Astana on 29 and 30 November, government representatives taking part at the 2nd ministerial conference of the “Baku Initiative” (launched on 13 November 2004, EUROPE 8829) adopted a long term road map to strengthen energy cooperation between the participant countries. The Baku Initiative aims at gradual integration of the markets of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea rim countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia as an observer) and their neighbours (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in the Community market. Implementation of this roadmap must facilitate the gradual establishment of a legal and regulatory framework that will govern an integrated EU-Black Sea-Caspian Sea common energy market based on EU acquis. All parties agreed to make every effort to facilitate and mobilise private and public financial resources from partner countries, EU assistance and international financial institutions to support this process.
In addition to a short term programme to enhance the understanding of energy authorities in countries party to the initiative regarding Community legislation and practice in the energy sector, the roadmap provides for four priority actions: - market convergence. This chapter mainly includes the opening up of the energy markets, respect of high environmental and security standards, nuclear safety and the setting in place of independent regulators, as well as providing for an action plan to be developed on creating regional integrated energy markets; - greater energy supply security (examination of questions relating to export and transit, the guarantee of open and non-discriminatory access to energy resources and the upkeep of pipeline networks); - the development of sustainable energy (energy efficiency and renewable energies); - and the support of energy projects in the common interest (setting up of a framework to attract investment in energy production and transmission infrastructures). Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs also pointed out that the Union will be allocating nearly €60 million by 2010, in addition to the €30.5 million already invested since 2004, to cofinance energy infrastructure projects in countries that are party to the initiative. (eh)