The European Commission (EC) and leaders of Portugal, France and Spain are due to formally agree on ways to better integrate the Iberian Peninsula into the EU's internal energy market, the EC announced on Thursday.
The EC said the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron and the President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez will meet in Lisbon on July 27 to strengthen regional cooperation within the framework of the Energy Union.
At the Lisbon Summit, Climate Action and Energy Commission Miguel Arias Cañete will represent the EC, on behalf of Commission President Juncker, in talks with leaders to take stock of important progress achieved in better integrating the Iberian Peninsula into the internal energy market.
The sides will formally agree on ways to strengthen regional cooperation between Spain, France and Portugal, it said.
'Underlining the EU's willingness to complete the Energy Union and fulfill its commitments under the Paris agreement, leaders will sign the Lisbon Declaration that clearly sets out the way forward,' the statement said.
It will build on the Madrid Declaration from March 2015, which launched the integration process and set up a high level group chaired by the Commission to steer progress.
'Since the Juncker Commission took office, the integration of the Iberian Peninsula into the internal energy market has been a priority. By supporting the construction of the necessary infrastructure, the EU's goal is to end the energy isolation of this part of Europe, whilst improving energy security, giving consumers more choice, and spurring economic growth and jobs,' the EC said.
By Ebru Sengul
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr