EU-U.S. Energy Council launched Wednesday

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- An EU-U.S. Energy Council launched Wednesday in Washington provides a framework for bilateral dialogue on energy security and low-carbon technology.

European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs led a delegation to Washington to meet with U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu to discuss the framework for trans-Atlantic energy cooperation, the European Union announced.

"The Energy Council is a timely initiative in the context of growing global concerns on energy security and the important role that the energy sector has in climate change," said Piebalgs. "Elevating these discussions between us to a political level underscores the importance we both attach to this area of our relationship."

Working groups comprised of senior officials from both sides of the Atlantic will work together to focus on energy policy, global energy security and research cooperation for green technology.

The EU-U.S. council strengthens a strategic cooperation agreement on energy and energy security envisioned in a joint declaration from 2006.

Leaders from both sides will meet annually to discuss advancements in the council.