SYNERGY: energy cooperation with third countries
The Commission has published a proposed Regulation for a multiannual energy cooperation programme with third countries, entitled SYNERGY. The proposal demonstrates the importance which the Commission attaches to international cooperation on energy issues. Community cooperation in this field commenced in 1980, sparked off by the second world oil crisis. Since then, activities have expanded and funding has increased each year, with ECU 9 million allocated for 1995. For the last two years, activities in this field have been conducted under the name "SYNERGY". The Commission now wishes to establish a formal and multiannual programme bearing the same name. SYNERGY will launch a number of activities for a five-year period, starting in 1996, to encourage cooperation and to assist third countries in defining, drawing up and implementing energy policies. A budget of ECU 50 million has been proposed. The objectives of the programme will be to: - Encourage sustainable development in the energy field, in particular by reducing emissions contributing to the greenhouse effect and pollution linked to energy consumption; - Improving energy safety; - Improving energy efficiency. Following the preparation of a multiannual indicative programme defining the objectives, orientations and priorities of Community activities, annual action plans will be implemented. The indicative programme and the action plans will be drawn up in collaboration with the Member States and the international financing institutions, and will complement other Community cooperation programmes of a less specific nature. The principal actions will take the form of advice and support for energy institutions of third countries, support for energy audits and planning, management training as well as the organization of seminars and conferences designed to develop a more structured relationship between the Community and third countries in energy matters. Particular attention will be given to transnational projects carried out in a regional context. The programme will continue to support the development of a pan-European energy market, pursuant to the European Energy Charter. For 1995, a number of actions under the existing annual scheme are envisaged, including: the opening in the autumn of an energy centre for the Black Sea States in Sofia; technical support for rehabilitating Sarajevo's electrical network, if possible; drawing up of a regional action plan for Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation, in conjunction with the southern and south-eastern Mediterranean countries; organization of contacts between European industry and Vietnamese authorities and industry.