Brussels, 26/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - New gas projects and negotiations on an EU-Algeria energy Memorandum of Understanding were at the heart of discussions between Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil, on the sidelines of the EU-OPEC meeting in Vienna on 21 June. Three projects being developed are likely to see Algeria, the EU's third largest gas supplier with 55 billion cubic metres in 2005 (19.1% of Community imports), increase its exports to the EU: the two gas pipelines - Medgaz, via America in Spain, and Galsi, via Cagliari in Sardinia (Italy) - should increase gas exports to 78.5 billion cubic metres, and a third gas pipeline, linking Algeria and Italy, via Tunisia, could add 7.5 billion cubic metres to the current volume. Discussion focused on the energy dialogue between the EU and OPEC, with Algeria taking over the presidency of this organisation at the end of the year. (eh)