Malta aims to conclude EU’s gas security of supply legislation during Presidency

Slovakia has officially handed over the presidency of the Energy Council of Ministers to Malta during this morning’s TTE Council in Brussels.

Former energy minister, now minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Konrad Mizzi attended the Energy Council of Ministers where he outlined Malta’s energy priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Malta’s Presidency officially starts in January.

Mizzi said that Malta will be giving priority to files which have not yet been concluded, including the Gas Security of Supply Regulation and the Regulation for Energy Labelling of Products. He welcomed the recently launched ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ – a package of ambitious legislative proposals forming the backbone of the Energy Union.

Malta, Mizzi said, will be simultaneously kick-starting the discussions on all eight legislative components forming the “record-breaking package of legislative proposals”, including proposals targeting energy efficiency, renewable energy and electricity market design.

“Special priority shall be given by the Maltese Presidency towards the Energy Efficiency and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directives, with the aim of reaching a general approach by the June Energy Council,” the OPM Ministry said.

The Maltese Presidency is expected to give a Mediterranean dimension to these aspects, which shall be outlined in greater detail at the Informal Energy Council and the Euro-Med Conference which shall be held in Valletta on the 18 and 19 May 2017.

Mizzi said that this package will be giving EU consumers a secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy and that Malta looks forward to working with all stakeholders in delivering these objectives.

Today’s Energy Council focused mainly on the proposal concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply with an emphasis on regional cooperation, exchange of information and solidarity mechanisms in case of crisis.

Mizzi today held a number of bilateral meetings with several member states, including the UK, Germany, Cyprus, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands. He also held discussions with the Vice President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič and the Commissioner for Energy and Climate Change Miguel Arias Cañete.

Mizzi was accompanied by the deputy permanent representative Neil Kerr, permanent secretary Ronald Mizzi, and Energy and Water Agency CEO Daniel Azzopardi.