The energy ministers of the 25-member enlarged EU and 10 other Mediterranean and Eastern European nations yesterday adopted the Athens Declaration for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, “a political framework aiming at the creation of an integrated and interconnected energy market,” according to Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochadzopoulos. He said it had been agreed to promote convergence of energy policies on oil, natural gas and electricity, while both he and EU Transport and Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio said the contribution of the private sector to investment was essential. Tsochadzopoulos said Greece’s natural gas pipelines with Turkey and Italy made it an important link in the whole scheme. The declaration makes special mention of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which expressed the intention of promoting bilateral cooperation in the field, with EU participation. Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have also agreed to develop a single electricity market for future integration with the EU. The ministers also confirmed as a priority the development of renewable energy sources in the next three years. Tsochadzopoulos is to chair a two-day congress of SE Euroepan tourism ministers, starting today, aimed at promoting cooperation.