12.01.2017
Joint statement between Minister Konrad Mizzi
and Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete
... Malta’s
presidency
comes bang on time of
the ‘clean energy for all
Europeans package’ – a
record-breaking number
of legislative files
adopted by the
Commission at one go
which are essential for
the functioning of the
Energy Union concept.
Commissioner Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete today
met Minister Konrad Mizzi to discuss energy affairs and Malta’s
Presidency of the Council of the EU. Minister Mizzi reiterated Malta’s
planned programme for the coming six months.
The programme of the Maltese Presidency on energy affairs prioritizes
the political agreement of two important legislative proposals making
up the energy union, that is the Gas Security of Supply Directive – a
legislation whose scope is to provide an action plan for the EU in times
of gas crises and the Energy Labelling Regulation – a legislation whose
scope is to revise and simplify ‘A to G’ energy labelling on products.
This will involve important negotiation within the Council of the EU and
the European Parliament in close collaboration with the European
Commission.
It was also noted that Malta’s presidency comes bang on time of the
‘clean energy for all Europeans package’ – a record-breaking number of
legislative files adopted by the Commission at one go which are
essential for the functioning of the Energy Union concept.
With regards to the Clean Energy Package, the Maltese Presidency will
focus on legislation designed for Europe’s decarbonization of its
economy by 2030 through (i) enhanced Energy Efficiency, (ii) greater
uptake of renewables, and (iii) a better functioning pan-European
Electricity Market Design. The Presidency will also initiate discussion in
Council on legislation required to coordinate all such efforts to ensure
security of supply, sustainability, and affordability of energy for all
European citizens and industry.
On a more global level, Minister Mizzi and Commissioner Cañete
discussed the fact that Malta will be the last Mediterranean Presidency
during the Juncker Commission. With the Mediterranean referred to as
a strategic area for the Energy Union project, the Presidency will work
to continue making the point of the Mediterranean’s potential in terms
of energy and socio-economics. In this regard, the Presidency will hold
a high-level conference on 18/19 May 2017 in Valletta. The event will
bring together EU Energy Ministers, non-EU Energy Ministers and key
stakeholders.
12.01.2017
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