Stockholm (NordSIP) – Representatives of the governments of nine EU countries around the Mediterranean Sea met in Cyprus for the second MED9 Energy Ministerial Summit on 23 September to declare their “commitment to support the advancement of a sustainable, secure, and resilient future for the Mediterranean region” and invite the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch,
Highlighting the unique renewable energy potential and climate challenges that characterise the region, representatives from the governments of Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain reaffirmed their intention to continue to cooperate “towards setting the foundations for the supply of secure and affordable clean energy in the region.”
Creating A Mediterranean Green Hub
The representatives from the nine EU countries reiterate their vision of transforming the Mediterranean region into a “renewable energy hub” and “corridor for green energy development.” This goal will require coordination between MED9 members, and it is hoped it will yield significant benefits for the region, including economic growth, and the creation of job opportunities.
This enhanced cooperation should also facilitate further integration of EU member states in the Internal Market and increase energy security for the Union and the region, while hopefully assisting the MED9 members to achieve their individual renewable targets set by the EU.
To this end, the members of MED9 also agreed to establish a regular annual meeting for the Energy Steering Committee, which will be dedicated for planning the way forward regarding the activities of MED9.
Bringing in the European Commission
The MED9 countries also announced they will examine the creation of synergies between our national permitting procedures for renewable energy projects to “facilitate the deployment of potential cross-border projects, while minimising the administrative burden for investors.”
The gathered government representatives also proposed the development of a comprehensive and tailored assessment, focusing on the specific opportunities and challenges associated with establishing a Mediterranean green energy hub. They have asked the European Commission for assistance with this task.
“We invite the European Commission to collaborate closely with us in undertaking this assessment, subject to resources availability. Following the assessment of the aforementioned report, we will evaluate conducting a new, updated, comprehensive study, tailored to the requirements of the region and its energy vision, potentially financed by member states on a voluntary basis. We therefore request the support and engagement of the European Commission to potentially carry out the new study, which is expected to build on the findings of the existing reports. This study will provide a robust foundation for informed decision-making and concrete action towards achieving our shared vision for a sustainable and secure energy future in the Mediterranean region.
However, MED9-EU cooperation does not stop at the study. “[We] invite the European Commission to ensure an effective communication and close association between the MED9 Energy initiative and the Commission,” the joint statement concludes.
