APD | Germany, Netherlands sign energy transition cooperation document

By APD writer Aditya Nuagraha

BERLIN, Oct. 3 (APD) - Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte held bilateral talks here on Wednesday, featured by the signing of a joint declaration of intent on energy transition cooperation between the two states.

Speaking in a press conference after the talks, Merkel said the talks with Rutte expressed “a whole series of things in common”.

Prior to the meeting of Merkel and Rutte, eleven parliamentarians from each state held a joint plenary session and discussed current political issues.

The joint declaration of intent on the energy transition was signed by Germany Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmaier and his Dutch counterpart Eric Wiebes in the morning.

Both countries have promised to cooperate more closely in the area of offshore wind farms and to work together with France and Belgium to develop a common gas market.

The Netherlands planned to cease natural gas production in the Gröningen region by 2030, from which Germany has so far purchased gas.

According to the joint declaration hydrogen could play an essential role In the future.

Expressing his concern on Germany’s climate package, Rutte said he understood the approach chosen, highlighting the aim of preserving the people’s way of life while reducing CO2 emissions.

In the previous consultations, Merkel reiterated her support for raising the EU target for reducing greenhouse gases from 40 to 55 percent by 2030. In The Hague in August, Merkel announced that she could “well support” such an initiative by Rutte.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)