IP/07/1025

Brussels, 5 July 2007

The European Union deepens energy relations with Brazil

On the occasion of today's visit of Brazilian President Lula da Silva to the European Commission, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Brazilian Minister of External Relations, Celso Amorim, signed the terms of reference for the EC-Brazil Regular Energy Policy Dialogue.

"This document lays the foundations for a fruitful and constructive energy partnership, based on a permanent dialogue with the Federative Republic of Brazil", said Commissioner Piebalgs ahead of the signature ceremony.

The Energy dialogue will provide a good basis for strengthening energy cooperation with Brazil, one of the major players in the world economy that enjoy a privileged relationship with the European Union. The agreement recognises the leading role played by Brazil as a stable and reliable partner in Latin America and its importance in the area of biofuels, security of energy supply and climate change.

The main objective of this new Energy Dialogue, set up in the context of the EC-Brazil Framework Agreement for Cooperation of 1995, is to facilitate the exchange of views between the EU and Brazil in all aspects related to energy security and sustainability. The agreement also aims to develop bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, most notably in biofuels and other renewable energy sources, low carbon energy technologies, and the improvement of energy efficiency. Last but not least, it will help both parties work towards increasing joint international action in the field of energy.

The first meeting of the Energy Dialogue will take place in the autumn of 2007.