Joint statement between Minister Konrad Mizzi and Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete
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.
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