The ministers, their deputies, directors of the energetic efficiency sector, representatives of the Energy community, the EU delegations in Albania, UNDP and experts in the field of energetic efficiency held a work meeting in Tirana on September 14th and 15th dedicated to the subject of possibilities of improvement of the regional cooperation in the field of energetic efficiency at the Balkans.
The representatives of the ministries of Montenegro, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania agreed that the regional approach to topics related to energetic efficiency is highly important not only in the context of improving the EU integration process which requires directives of the countries candidates but also in bringing direct advantages to the citizens of the region such as life quality, opening new working places and improving relations between the countries at the Balkans.
The delegates concluded that a more active approach and the common attitude of the countries when it comes to these topics represents a chance to accelerate the economic development and to improve the regional cooperation while the savings made in energy and use of local, clean sources of energy make the Balkans less dependent on importing energy. That also makes the region safer and more stable.
The host of the meetings, the Albanian minister of energy and industry Damian Gjiknuri stated that Albania has a serious program and measures to lead towards a gradual decrease of energy consummation.
“The increase of energetic efficiency leads not only to decreased prices the citizens pay for the energy consummation services but to improvement of life standards. The energetic efficiency is the region’s priority and an important aspect of many programs and strategies related to the Balkans, which is proved by this meeting too.” – said Gjiknuri.
The meeting was organized by the inter-sector network “Balkan Forum”, working on promotion of a sustainable development of the Balkans.
The Balkan Forum gathers representatives of institutions, civil society, academic community and economic sector. They discuss topics related to economy, energy, education, labour market, capital and tourism. – was stated from that organization.
(Source: Fena / photo: pogodak.rs)