Press "The Intelligent Energy Europe is fundamental for the European competitiveness and its economic recovery"

Today, in the debate of the Plenary session of the European Parliament concerning the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme, Maria da Graça Carvalho asked the European Commission about its continuity, "because the promotion of the energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy are crucial for the economic growth and for the job creation in Europe"

Maria da Graça Carvalho remembered that the European Union has taken strategic decisions and has developed an ambitious set of legislation in this field, "however, every policy needs strong instruments that connect both a regional and a local level".

The MEP, recognised that both the programme and its Executive Agency (EACI) in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency has been outstanding, namely through the support to innovative projects. Activities such as the Covenant of Mayors and the Pact of Islands must be continued and intensified.

Maria da Graça Carvalho underlined that especially in a conjuncture of economic crises, programmes such as the IEE are "fundamental for the competitiveness and for the economic recovery".

In this respect, Ms Carvalho asked to Commissioner Oëttinger - What does the Commission intend to do to assure a dedicated and visible place for IEE in the future multi-annual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020?; How will the Commission improve the successor to the IEE programme?; How will the institutional setting of the successor to the IEE be designed? Where in the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) will the programme be funded?