MEPs resolve to support export of renewable energies
A resolution supporting the export of renewable energies (A4-0477/98 - Elchlepp) was adopted without amendment in the European Parliament on 15 January 1999. At the meeting, Members of the European Parliament agreed the draft resolution by Dietrich Elchlepp's (Party of European Socialists) for the External Economic Affairs Committee, in which he stated: "Support for renewable energies as a new objective of external economic policy is a decisive instrument for Europe in securing growth, competitiveness, employment, and protection of the environment." A "European Export Council for Renewable Energies" will be set up. After, noting that there were similar Councils in the US and Japan, Mr Elchlepp told MEPs that such an organisation would be an important part of a long-term European export strategy. This group will be responsible for improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through effective start-up and establishment of export cooperatives among SMEs in the EU. Mr Elchlepp said he believed that this support for renewable energies will help the EU fulfil its obligation to achieve the objectives of the Kyoto environment summit and is highly desirable from the point of view of security of supply. The resolution will ensure that there is a separate budgetary provision for renewable energies in the EU´s energy-support programmes, as well as in structural and ACP aid. The PHARE, TACIS and MEDA financial and technological support programmes will also be adapted to take this need into consideration. The resolution also called on the European Investment Bank to grant cheap loans below the existing minimum loan threshold for SMEs involved in projects in the field of renewable energy in third countries. Mr Elchlepp's report received broad support from subsequent speakers from the Party for European Socialists, the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, the European People's Parliament, and the Green Group in Europe.