U.S., EU talk energy security

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The United States and the European Union launched a high-level council meant to address clean technology and energy security.

Richard Morningstar, the U.S. special envoy for Eurasian energy, outlined the provisions of the U.S.-EU Energy council during a conference call with reporters.

Morningstar described the council as a "very important" measure that will allow Washington and Brussels to engage in a "deep dialogue" on strategic energy and energy policy issues.

Through bilateral dialogue, both sides can take a "holistic approach towards energy in which we look at a combination of strategic issues, technology issues and policy issues, all of which ultimately relate to each other," he added.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will co-chair the council from the American side, while a high-level panel led by EU Commissioner for Research Janez Potocnik will chair the European side.

Chu earlier this week described the bilateral council as a vehicle to enhance the transition to a clean energy economy.

"These transitions are extremely important, both for our energy security, for our mutual economic development, and of course, for the climate of the world," he said.