New French EU Minister Cazeneuve to Eurofora on Israel/Egypt-Cyprus-Greece-Italy-France Energy links

*

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Replying to an "EuroFora" Question on currently evolving EU projects to Fund also Energy Transport Infrastructures between European Countries at the immediate and longer term (2013-2020+), as part of a wider Political Will to boost EU Growth, New French Minister for EU affairs, Bernard Cazeneuve, appeared Positively enclined vis a vis plans as that recently anounced by Israel, Cyprus, Greece and other Countries, to link the growing Oil-Gas Findings in the Sea between Israel, Egypt and EU Member Cyprus, either with a High-Tech. Electricity undersea Cable from Cyprus to Greece and Italy, therefore to France and the rest of the EU, and/or by building a Natural Gas Liquefaction Plant at the island, so that NLG can be transported by Ships directly to Mediterranean EU Countries, such as Greece, Italy, France, Spain, etc., and, therefore, to the entire EU.

In particular, "EuroFora" refered also to the Decision taken just a few Days ago in Brussels by EU Ministers on Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, to propose 50 Billions € for the creation of a "Connecting Europe Facility" for 2014-2020, including Energy Transport Infrastructures, which are reportedly eyed also in the Shorter term plans currently prepared in parallel for final decisions during the forthcoming end of June 2012 EU Brussels' Summit by Heads of State/Government, in case of agreement, particularly by new French President Francois Holland and German Chancellor Angie Merkel, with their EU Partners.

Reminding a recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahou and Cyprus' President Christofias, forthcoming EU Council's rotating Chairman for the Semester 7-12/2012, where the idea to build a High Tech undersea Cable for transport of Electricity due to be produced by Gas found at the South Eastern Mediterranean Sea between Israel, Egypt and EU Member Cyprus, linking the island to Greece and Italy, followed by the rest of EU-wide Eletrcicity grids (notoriously supported by EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger), as well as Cyprus' decision to establish a NLG Terminal to prepare Ship Sea Transport of liquefied Gas directly to EU SeaPorts, such as France's brand new and big "Foss II" near Marseille, but also Greece's, Italy's, Spain's, etc, "Eurofora" asked Cazeneuve, during his 2 Days long first visit at EU Parliament in Strasbourg, if such Projects could, or not, be eventually supported by current and forthcoming EU draft Programs for Energy/Transport Networks funding as a part of boosting much needed Growth, as well as EU's Energy Security and Independence from other External, Foreign factors.

Cazeneuve, (known as close to New Foreign Minister Fabius : comp. Fabius' own statements to "EuroFora"s co-founder as early as since back during the 1998-2000, when he visited CoE in Strasbourg as President of France's National Assembly), carefully asked, at fist, to be better informed by a counselor, on the specialized EU Ministers' recent decisions, before thinking what answer he will give to "EuroFora"s question.

- "All such strategic projects for Energt Transport links between European Countries are due to be examined in the framework of those EU funding programs on European Networks", the French Minister subsequently added in his Reply to our query on the Israel/Egypt-Cyprus-Greece-Italy/France+ new Energy findings' transport plans (see above).

French sources also warned "EuroFora" that New President Hollande was due to speak on various topical issues witgh German Chancellor Merkel soon, includinng, naturally, on several Energy projects due to be examined for EU support for a sustainable Growth, particualrly when they can also contibute into enhancing Competitiviness, that the findings of new EU Energy sources could naturally help.