Energy and sustainable development: multiannual programme "Intelligent Energy for Europe", 2003-2006

The Commission considers that the Common Position adopted by majority of the Council is generally faithful to the spirit and contents of the Commission's proposal which itself was tabled in response to suggestions of the Council and the European Parliament concerning the continuation of Community action in the framework of energy programmes. The Commission also considers that the Common Position provides - in line with the proposal adopted by the Commission - for the targeting, reinforcement and improvement of Community action in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources while extending this action to the energy aspects of transport and to co-operation with developing countries. The Commission believes that the Common Position has succeeded in retaining the intention of the Commission proposal and in taking into consideration a considerable number of the amendments of the European Parliament. The Common Position also takes into account new developments of Community policy in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development although the Commission considers that these new priorities and newly defined objectives have not been fully reflected in the financial reference amount. Building on the new and enhanced EU and world priorities and objectives concerning energy, environment and sustainability, the European Parliament considers that the financial envelope for promotional action in the fields of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency should be increased. In addition, the new field COOPENER should be particularly reinforced in the light of the EU's specific commitment on renewable energy sources at Johannesburg. The positions of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the financial reference amount are clearly the main point for resolution in order to achieve a final agreement. The European Parliament will certainly consider in this context the revision clause that has been included in the text by the Council during the final discussions. However, in order to help to reconcile the divergent positions, the Commission has actively contributed to an agreement.. The Commission takes note that the mid-term revision clause provided for in the Common Position foresees an examination and - if appropriate - revision of the reference amount within the framework of the financial perspectives and taking into account applications received. Concerning the references to transparency and equal opportunities, the Commission believes that these, too, as expressed in the Common Position, are very much in line with the amendments adopted by Parliament. The Commission therefore commends this Common Position to the European Parliament.�