Press Release: President Barroso calls on G8 to lay the foundations for a stable energy future and makes new aid proposal for Africa

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on 11 July 2006, European Commission President Barroso called on G8 leaders to go the extra mile to agree a common set of energy security principles to lay the foundations for a stable energy future. One of the key tests for G8 leaders in St Petersburg will be to agree on a common set of energy security principles, covering all actors in the energy chain from producing to consuming and transit countries. For the European Commission, the other main priority is for G8 leaders to step up the pace in delivering on the landmark pledges on Africa at Gleneagles in 2005. The EU is determined to keep Africa at the centre of the political stage. In a letter to President Putin, President Barroso has announced that, not only is the EU is on track to deliver its Gleneagles pledge to double aid by 2010, it is already planning to go further with an ambitious proposal to set up a €3 billion fund to promote good governance, a critical element in effective aid spending.

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