Europe, Brazil Deepen Energy Relations

November 21, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

The two energy leaders agreed to focus their cooperation in 2009 on four main areas:

• An information exchange on experiences and technical consultations regarding regulatory issues for competitive energy markets, including investment opportunities.
• Energy efficiency and demand management, in particular through participation in the multilateral International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), launched by the G8+5 countries.
• Joint research efforts in second-generation biofuels, using the upcoming EU-Brazil coordinated research to be announced in January 2009.
• Promotion of EU-Brazil industrial cooperation on low-carbon technologies, including, inter alia, clean coal, as well as research on nuclear energy and cooperation on nuclear safety, paying particular attention to safe and sustainable technologies.

"Today, we have confirmed our commitment to building up constructive EU-Brazil cooperation and partnership in the energy sector, towards achieving sustainable and reliable energy supplies. The clear understanding we have reached, both on our policies and priorities for bilateral cooperation in the energy field, constitute valuable preparation for the upcoming EU-Brazil Summit in Rio de Janeiro, on 22 December," said Piebalgs.

"Brazil plays a leading role as a stabilizing and reliable partner in Latin America. Its importance in the biofuels, energy supply security and climate change debate makes it a privileged partner of the EU in energy-related matters, and this is why I am looking forward to the early adoption of EU-Brazil Joint Action Plan, under the Strategic Partnership established a year ago," said Piebalgs after his meeting with Lobão.

Lobão welcomed the first meeting of the Brazil-EC Energy Policy Dialogue. Recalling that Brazil and the European Union (EU) are key players in the energy sector - as consumers, producers, and also as centers for technological development and innovation - he expressed the willingness of the Brazilian government to deepen cooperation and exchange of experiences with the EU in this sector.

The parties discussed their respective new policy initiatives and shared views on global energy trends. Piebalgs outlined the main priorities included in the most recent wide-ranging energy package presented in Brussels on Nov. 13, which gives a new boost to EU energy security, solidarity and efficiency, and embraces a strengthened external energy policy action for the EU.

Lobão outlined recent developments in the Brazilian energy sector, with special regard to the new "pre salt" oil fields, as well as to the ongoing development of the ethanol and biodiesel areas.

Both parties confirmed their support for continued cooperation on sustainability for biofuels and the promotion of scientific studies and technological innovation aimed at guaranteeing long-term sustainability of bio-energy production, in the context of the Global Bio-energy Partnership and the International Biofuels Forum. Bilateral technical consultations will follow in the coming weeks on these matters.

Background
The EC-Brazil Energy Policy Dialogue agreement was signed in Brussels in July 2007. Set up in the context of the EC-Brazil Cooperation Framework of 1995, its main objective is to facilitate the exchange of views between the EU and Brazil in all aspects related to energy security and sustainability, as well as to develop bilateral cooperation in areas of common concern.

The Nov. 21 meeting was the first at the ministerial level since the launch of the bilateral energy dialogue. The meeting was held during Piebalgs' first visit to Brazil to participate in the second International Biofuels Conference.

More information
For further information, see:

• The European Union deepens energy relations with Brazil (IP/07/1025)
• EU and Brazil meet to discuss Strategic Partnership (IP/08/880)
• EU-Brazil Relations web page
• EC's web site on International Relations

Source: European Commission.