Brussels, 16/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission and the European Bank for Research and Development (EBRD) signed a memorandum of understanding on 13 July to strengthen their cooperation in energy, and extend its scope beyond the simple dismantling of nuclear installations. The different parties are seeking to expand their cooperation by supporting projects on security of supply (development of an integrated energy market, rehauling of energy infrastructure in South East Europe and the creation of a South-East gas transport corridor to the Union, as well as the creation and extension of routes to facilitate oil supplies from the Black Sea. There will also be further development of the trans-Caspian corridor for oil and gas and expanded energy efficiency (promotion of synergies between the Commission's action plan and the EBRD's sustainable energy initiative. (eh)