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EU energy ministers' meeting focuses on energy efficiency, regional cooperation

Xinhua, April 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

An informal meeting of European Union (EU) energy and environment ministers, which took place here from Tuesday to Thursday, focused on energy efficiency and regional cooperation as the bloc seeks to build a European energy union.

While discussing the energy efficiency issues, the ministers agreed that EU needed a common heating and cooling strategy.

"The presidency believes that a common EU strategy for heating and cooling should set a vision for the sector to enable the use of synergies and get the maximum benefit for consumers, the environment and the economy," said Latvian Economy Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola.

During the discussion on regional cooperation, the Latvian economy minister indicated that the energy union needed close multi-faceted and multi-level cooperation. "Enhanced and streamlined cooperation among the member states should contribute to furthering all five dimensions of the energy union, including the creation of a fully-integrated internal market, strengthened energy security, transition to a low-carbon economy, and the realized potential of research and innovation," the Latvian minister said.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete said that the investment plan for Europe, proposed by European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker, might serve as a significant source of financing for energy efficiency projects. Financing issues are currently hampering the implementation of such projects in many member states, including Latvia, the EU commissioner said.

Canete too stressed the importance of regional cooperation in the context of the energy union, saying that some regions in the EU still remained isolated energy islands, representing a serious energy security risk.

The European Commission is working to develop a strategy and crisis management centers that would be prepared to deal with potential energy crises, the EU commissioner said.

Canete also spoke in favor of shale gas imports from the United States which would increase competition on the EU market, reducing energy prices as a result. Endit