Brussels, 18/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - Meeting during the 5th Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Energy in Limassol on 17 December, EU energy ministers from the 10 Euro-Mediterranean partnership countries (Algeria, Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia) launched a priority action plan for the period 2008-2013 aimed at strengthening energy cooperation on both sides of the Mediterranean (EUROPE 9564). The action plan is based on three objectives: harmonisation and integration of energy markets, the promotion of sustainable development in the energy sector, and the implementation of initiatives of general interest in the development of infrastructures, investment financing, and R&D. The EU's financial contribution to this plan is expected to amount to €3.2 billion. Taking part at the meeting in Limassol, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs expressed support for the energy cooperation programme called “Solar Energy and World Peace” recently jointly developed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. (E.H.)