Energy and the European energy transport networks are the two main areas which absorb the majority of EU financing, said the president of the European Investment Bank Philippe Maystadt speaking at a two-day forum in Athens.
Away from the European Union countries, high on the agenda for the Bank’s financing priorities is the EU accession countries like Croatia or Western Balkans, Turkey. Russia and Ukraine are also areas of interest.
Mr Maystadt emphasized the need for a common energy policy adopted by the EU in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine crisis a year ago for the natural gas which had an obvious impact on the EU countries.
‘The discussions have started but they have not been finalized yet. We hope that they will lead to a common energy policy, “Maystadt said. “However, we need the consent by all the members of the EU.”
Currently, the European Investment Bank’s financing is focused on infrastructure projects, energy savings, renewable energy sources and research and development in the energy field.