Jakarta (VNA) - The European Commission (EC) has pledged to continue supporting ASEAN countries’ bid to develop renewable energy after the existing partnership agreement comes to an end this month.

As the five-year EC-ASEAN Energy Facility programme (EAEF) is going to expire, EC First Secretary Ronan Mac Aongusa said on Feb. 21 in Jakarta that the next stage of the partnership would involve the participation of technology suppliers and the private sector, as well as a new package of assistance.

For the next stage, the partnership would focus on the establishment of an energy policy in the ASEAN region.

The EC would also consider offering other financing mechanisms for companies engaged in the development of renewable energy, such as biofuel, biomass and biodiesel.
During 2002-2007, the EC-ASEAN partnership programme provided a total of 77 projects with financial assistance estimated at 38.51 million EUR (roughly 50.06 million USD), of which the EC contributed some 21.5 million EUR.- Enditem