Lisbon summit to strengthen energy interconnections with the Iberian peninsula

On Friday 27th July, the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa, the President of France Emmanuel Macron and the President of the government of Spain Pedro Sanchez met in Lisbon to strengthen their regional cooperation in the framework of the Energy Union. On behalf of Commission President Juncker, Climate Action and Energy Commission Miguel Arias Cañete represented the European Commission. At the Lisbon Summit, leaders took stock of the important progress achieved in better integrating the Iberian Peninsula into the internal energy market and formally agreed on ways to strengthen the regional cooperation between Spain, France and Portugal. Underlining the EU's willingness to complete the Energy Union and fulfil its commitments under the Paris agreement, leaders signed the Lisbon Declaration that clearly sets out the way forward. It builds 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. These interconnections are also essential for renewable energy sources to thrive and make Europe world number one in renewable energy. The summit is an opportunity to examine the work and progress on strengthening investment on energy interconnections undertaken by the Juncker Commission. Europe by Satellite transmitedt from the summit including a press conference scheduled at 19:00 CET. Find more information on the Commission's website.

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Interconnections for South-West Europe