1st Interim Steering Committee of the Euro-Med Platform on Gas
More than 40 participants gathered for the 1st Interim Steering Committee (ISC) of the Euro-Med Platform on Gas. Participants included the representatives of energy ministry of Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Malta, Spain and Tunisia, the European Commission, UfM Secretariat (UfMs), Eurogas, Gas Infrastructure Europe, Medreg, and OME both as a stakeholder and as the Platform Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by Christopher Jones, Deputy Director General of the EC Energy Directorate. From OME side, Sohbet Karbuz made a presentation on gas in the region, identifying the main challenges to set the scene. Daniel Gomez Benusiglio, on behalf of the OME Task Force for the Euro-Med Platform on Gas, conveyed preliminary topics suggested for the work programme of the Gas Platform.
The general discussion confirmed the support of all countries and stakeholders to the Platform. Participants have also agreed with the issues raised in OME presentations as well as OME proposals.
As a Conclusion of the meeting, four priority topics have been retained: security of supply, security of demand, infrastructures challenges and Mediterranean gas hub. In this context, a working group open to all governments and stakeholders willing to contribute has been set up with the purpose to prepare a report entitled “Common Challenges for developing mutually beneficial gas Market Place”. Coordinated by OME as Secretariat of the Platform, this report will include four chapters on the agreed topics. First draft will be ready for the next ISC meeting by end of April and final version for the November Ministerial meeting. OME will also work with the EC and UfMs to further develop the Term of Reference of the Platform.