Cyprus hosts MED9 summit on energy

Cyprus hosts Monday in the coastal town of Larnaka, the summit of the MED9 on energy.

Energy Ministers of Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia will hold discussions with the aim of strengthening the energy cooperation between the nine Mediterranean member states of the EU, especially regarding the effort to transform the Mediterranean region into a transmission hub green energy.

The meeting is chaired by the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Giorgos Papanastasiou. Representatives of the European Commission and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also participate in the summit. 

More particularly the Ministers will exchange views on the creation of a hub in the Mediterranean for the transfer of green energy between European and third countries, a development that can contribute to the achievement of their energy goals, ensure their energy security and promote peace and stability in the wider area.

The second part of the summit will focus on finding synergies between the MED9 in the licensing of cross-border green projects, a key condition for fulfilling the countries' shared vision of creating an energy hub in the Mediterranean.

At noon, a press conference will be held, during which Cyprus Minister Papanastasiou will present the Joint Declaration.

The MED9 Energy Ministerial summit will conclude with a working lunch, during which the Ministers will discuss on the need to create a policy framework for offshore Renewable Energy (RES) technologies, which may include wind turbines, floating photovoltaics and wave energy.