JOINT  PRESS  RELEASE

ASEAN AND EUROPEAN UNION

LAUNCH ENERGY FACILITY PROGRAMME

JAKARTA, 29 June - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) have launched a five-year EC-ASEAN Energy Facility Programme to stimulate and support energy projects and initiatives proposed by the energy industry from the two regions.

 The executive body of the European Union, the European Commission, is contributing a grant amount of € 18 million to the programme. The programme will be managed by the Jakarta-based ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE).

 The programme will contribute to increasing the security of energy supply of ASEAN countries and indirectly of Europe and strengthening the linkages between the policymakers and businesses in the energy sector of ASEAN and Europe. 

 The programme will largely facilitate the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 1999-2004.

Five sub-sectors will be addressed by the programme – Electricity (ASEAN Power Grid); Natural gas (Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline); Clean coal technology; Energy efficiency; and Renewable energy.

The programme will co-finance projects initiated by the energy industry, both public and private, that are regional (ASEAN) and tap on the European experience. It will provide the energy industry of ASEAN and the EU with the following facilities: provision of expertise in formulating policies, training and adapting institutional frameworks; support for the conduct of feasibility studies; implementation of demonstration projects to transfer advanced technologies; and convening of seminars, exhibitions and study tours to increase market awareness.

The Financing Agreement of the programme was signed last week by ASEAN Secretary General Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr. and European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten.

Note to editors:

Contact persons:

Mrs Sandra Kramer, EC Delegation, tel (62 21) 570 6076

Mr. Honorio R. Vitasa   ASEAN Secretariat, tel (62 21) 726 2991

Related websites:

·   ASEAN Secretariat: www.aseansec.org

·   Delegation of the European Commission: www.delidn.cec.eu.int

·   ASEAN Centre for Energy: www.ace.or.id