[PIO] Participation of the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry in the EU Energy Council

Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry George Papanastasiou participated in the work of the Energy Council of the European Union (EU) held on 19 December 2023 in Brussels.

During the Council, Member States reached a political agreement on the use of a written procedure on the Commission's proposal for a one-year extension of the three emergency Council Regulations on Solidarity, on Accelerating the Development of Renewable Energy and on Gas Market Correction, on the basis of Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. In his intervention, Mr. Papanastasiou, agreeing with the Presidency's compromise proposal, noted that the extension of the three legislative proposals by one year is considered necessary and proportionate due to the persistent nature of the serious difficulties, additional risks and uncertainty prevailing in the energy sector.

In the framework of the Council, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Mr. German Galushchenko, informed via teleconference about the energy situation in his country, as well as the state of its energy system and infrastructure. Mr. Papanastasiou reiterated Cyprus' solidarity and support to Ukraine.

Under other business, Lithuania briefed on the risks posed by the start of commercial operation of the second unit of the nuclear power plant in Belarus on 1 November 2023. The Minister expressed Cyprus' full solidarity and understanding of the concerns expressed regarding the safety and transparency issues raised by the commercial operation of the nuclear power plant. He added that Cyprus particularly understands the issue because it has similar concerns from the operation of the nuclear power plant at Akkuyu in Turkey due to its proximity to Cyprus. He also called for alignment of all neighbouring states with the EU on nuclear safety.

Finally, on the sidelines of the Summit, the "27" signed the Coalition Statement on Financing for Energy Efficiency and the Wind Energy Charter.

(BAT/NG/EATH)
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