PR171288 - The Speaker hosts the 17th EUFORES Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Date 19.05.2017
Early this afternoon, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia welcomed members of Parliament and key regional players from the energy and climate change sectors for the 17th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on energy and climate policies in the Mediterranean region, which is being held in Malta today and tomorrow.
Speaker Farrugia addressed members present and explained how the Mediterranean played a significant role to enhance human interaction between the people directly bordering the enclosed sea bed, and people living on mainland Europe. All this prolonged and intensive activity, including therefore the over exploitation and pollution of the Mediterranean sea’s natural resources, makes the Mediterranean region susceptible to climate change effects. One of the most immediate effects of climate change is the depletion of fresh water availability. Malta was in fact one of the first Member States to highlight the risks of climate change to the global community within the United Nations fora.
Turning his attention to the energy aspect, Speaker Farrugia reiterated that it is clear that clean and sustainable energy is the only viable way forward. This awareness has culminated in the Paris Agreement (COP21) and it is in this spirit that the Energy Union Governance placed unprecedented emphasis on regional cooperation in designing future Climate and Energy Plans and the relevant policies and measures to meet future climate and energy goals. He reiterated that success also depends on developments in neighbouring countries, which for decades have proven to be reliable partners in the energy sector. It is encouraging to see that several Mediterranean countries have taken on the challenge and are already pursuing ambitious climate and energy policies. However, there is always potential for further synergies between Mediterranean countries and the Energy Union; together they can develop robust energy policies which embrace the Energy Transition, taking advantage of new indigenous energy resources, which unlike fossil fuels, provide an unlimited energy source.
Speaker Farrugia remarked that the Energy Transition is both a challenge and a unique opportunity for a region which has the potential to position itself as a key player in the generation of renewable energy and which can bring long-term economic benefits to the region. He recalled how, in 2014, Malta was a prime mover in putting the spotlight on the Mediterranean region with the organisation of a high-level Euro-Med conference in Malta on the security of gas supply and the role of gas developments in the Mediterranean region. The conference gave birth to the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Platform on Gas.
Speaking on the role of national Parliaments, Speaker Farrugia emphasized that parliamentarians have a pivotal role to act as a bridge between the legislative arm of the country and the people and also as diplomatic representatives in international and regional fora. Furthermore, through the opportunity to meet with other regional partners, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and key regional experts, parliamentarians have the opportunity to keep up to date with the latest technological advancements and opportunities.
Speaker Farrugia concluded that, as Malta worked hard to include the Mediterranean Chapter in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, arguing that there cannot be security in Europe if there is no security in the Mediterranean, it is important that members present recognise that similarly there cannot be prosperity in Europe if there is no prosperity in the Mediterranean.
EUFORES is an independent non-profit European parliamentary network founded in 1995 with Members from all major political groups in the European Parliament as well as in the national and regional Parliaments of the EU Member States. Apart from the Members of Parliament, EUFORES is supported by a broad range of non-parliamentary members - renewable energy companies and associations, scientific institutes, energy agencies, NGOs and individuals who are strongly committed to renewable energy. EUFORES is financed by members' contributions, EU grants and private sponsorships. EUFORES organizes yearly high-level meetings; however this year marks a very important development. Considering that regional integration plays a key role for a European energy transition, EUFORES in cooperation with the two EU Council presidencies developed two key conferences: one Mediterranean chapter taking place in Valletta between 19-20 May and one Baltic Chapter taking place on 29 September to be hosted by the incoming Estonian Presidency.
