The informal meeting of the energy ministers of the European Union’s Member States was hosted by Minister for National Development, also in charge of energy, Tamás Fellegi on 2-3 May 2011. In summary of the experiences of the meeting, the minister said: the contributions and remarks revealed that the three pillars of the European Union’s energy strategy – namely, security of supply, competitiveness and sustainability – must be taken into consideration with equal significance during the finalisation of the Energy Strategy.

At the press conference following the meeting, the minister highlighted that the Member States were in agreement about the overriding significance of qualified labour, awareness raising and changing consumer habits, as well as research and development in the achievement of the common energy and climate policy objectives. Tamás Fellegi considered it forward-looking that the Member States united in emphasising the need to increase energy efficiency.

During his press conference he held jointly with Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger, in response to a question he stated that Hungary and the Paks Nuclear Power Station would participate in the so-called stress testing encouraged by the European Commission. The test will start at the earliest possible date after the Commission discloses the criteria, and be completed in a short while. The test findings are expected to have been summed up and the related report prepared by the end of 2011.

In connection with the stress test, both Tamás Fellegi and Günther Oettinger stressed the significance of transparency and publicity in the process. The EU Commissioner for Energy pointed out that this was the only way to earn the confidence of citizens and the sector players.

(Ministry of National Development , Department of Communication)