Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME205
2007-01-31 16:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALIAN MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO3858 OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHRO #0205/01 0311629 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 311629Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7076 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 2122 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 8296 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 2258 RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000205
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ECON ENRG KSCA IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IDENTIFIES ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE AS PRIORITIES FOR
FEBRUARY 6 MEETING WITH ENERGY SECRETARY BODMAN
ROME 00000205 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000205
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ECON ENRG KSCA IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IDENTIFIES ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE AS PRIORITIES FOR
FEBRUARY 6 MEETING WITH ENERGY SECRETARY BODMAN
ROME 00000205 001.2 OF 002
1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5.
2. Introduction and Summary. In a January 26 meeting with
Acting Ecmin, Vincenzo De Luca, Diplomatic Advisor to
Minister of Economic Development Bersani, identified
intensifying U.S.-Italy cooperation on energy research and
development and climate change as priority issues for
Bersani's February 6 meeting with Energy Secretary Bodman.
De Luca proposed renewal of the 1995 U.S.-Italy framework
Agreement on Energy Research and Development as a first
step in broadening bilateral cooperation in energy
research, and said Minister Bersani would like to sign a
Letter of Intent to this effect during his February 6
meeting with Secretary Bodman. De Luca proposed that
negotiations for renewal of the 1995 framework agreement Q-
or a new agreement entirely -- follow the signing of the
Letter of Intent, with the goal of signing an agreement
later this year. End Introduction and Summary.
3. GOI proposed text for the Letter of Intent follows.
(Begin text.)
February 6, 2007
DRAFT JOINT LETTER OF INTENT
Hon. Samuel Bodman, Secretary of State (sic),Department of
Energy of the United States of America and Hon. Pierluigi
Bersani, Minister of Economic Development of the Republic
of Italy, met in Washington D.C. on February 6, 2007 to
discuss and examine energy issues in the shared interest;
They reaffirmed their commitment towards a sustainable and
secure energy future while noting that actions and measures
to increase energy security and cope with the climate
change challenge appear needed and urgent;
They noted the role of continuing and strengthened (sic)
international collaboration on energy technology research
and development;
They noted that an Agreement was signed on May 26, 1995
between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Handicraft
(now the Ministry of Economic Development) of the Republic
of Italy and the Department of Energy of the United States
of America in the field of energy research and development;
They noted that this Agreement allowed the two signatory
entities to establish effective cooperation and work
towards common goals;
They noted that the agreement expired and it would be
appropriate to explore the [establishment] of a new
framework for bilateral cooperation, on energy technology
and climate change;
They agreed to establish a special task force to this
purpose;
They decided to appoint three experts from each side and
defined end-March 2007 and Washington D.C. as the venue of
the first meeting of this special task force.
(signed)
For the Department of Energy of the United States
(signed)
For the Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of
Italy
(End Text.)
4. (U) De Luca noted Minister BersaniQs strong interest in
cooperation between the USG and GOI on climate change
issues, but did not propose a vehicle for this cooperation.
Washington addressees may want to consider how best to
handle the request for cooperation on climate change
issues. One suggestion might be to fold proposed new
cooperation into the existing bilateral climate change
dialogue, ongoing since 2001. Alternatively, the USG may
prefer instead to work through G8 initiatives, such as the
International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, Methane
to Markets, etc.
ROME 00000205 002.2 OF 002
5. (U) Action request. Post requests Washington agencies
review the Letter of Intent proposed by the GOI and
indicate whether Secretary Bodman would be interested in
signing this Letter of Intent during his February 6 meeting
with Minister Bersani. If so, please indicate if the
proposed text in paragraph three is acceptable. After
February 2, Minister Bersani and his party can be reached
through the Italian Embassy in Washington. End action
requested.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ECON ENRG KSCA IT
SUBJECT: ITALIAN MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IDENTIFIES ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE AS PRIORITIES FOR
FEBRUARY 6 MEETING WITH ENERGY SECRETARY BODMAN
ROME 00000205 001.2 OF 002
1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5.
2. Introduction and Summary. In a January 26 meeting with
Acting Ecmin, Vincenzo De Luca, Diplomatic Advisor to
Minister of Economic Development Bersani, identified
intensifying U.S.-Italy cooperation on energy research and
development and climate change as priority issues for
Bersani's February 6 meeting with Energy Secretary Bodman.
De Luca proposed renewal of the 1995 U.S.-Italy framework
Agreement on Energy Research and Development as a first
step in broadening bilateral cooperation in energy
research, and said Minister Bersani would like to sign a
Letter of Intent to this effect during his February 6
meeting with Secretary Bodman. De Luca proposed that
negotiations for renewal of the 1995 framework agreement Q-
or a new agreement entirely -- follow the signing of the
Letter of Intent, with the goal of signing an agreement
later this year. End Introduction and Summary.
3. GOI proposed text for the Letter of Intent follows.
(Begin text.)
February 6, 2007
DRAFT JOINT LETTER OF INTENT
Hon. Samuel Bodman, Secretary of State (sic),Department of
Energy of the United States of America and Hon. Pierluigi
Bersani, Minister of Economic Development of the Republic
of Italy, met in Washington D.C. on February 6, 2007 to
discuss and examine energy issues in the shared interest;
They reaffirmed their commitment towards a sustainable and
secure energy future while noting that actions and measures
to increase energy security and cope with the climate
change challenge appear needed and urgent;
They noted the role of continuing and strengthened (sic)
international collaboration on energy technology research
and development;
They noted that an Agreement was signed on May 26, 1995
between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Handicraft
(now the Ministry of Economic Development) of the Republic
of Italy and the Department of Energy of the United States
of America in the field of energy research and development;
They noted that this Agreement allowed the two signatory
entities to establish effective cooperation and work
towards common goals;
They noted that the agreement expired and it would be
appropriate to explore the [establishment] of a new
framework for bilateral cooperation, on energy technology
and climate change;
They agreed to establish a special task force to this
purpose;
They decided to appoint three experts from each side and
defined end-March 2007 and Washington D.C. as the venue of
the first meeting of this special task force.
(signed)
For the Department of Energy of the United States
(signed)
For the Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of
Italy
(End Text.)
4. (U) De Luca noted Minister BersaniQs strong interest in
cooperation between the USG and GOI on climate change
issues, but did not propose a vehicle for this cooperation.
Washington addressees may want to consider how best to
handle the request for cooperation on climate change
issues. One suggestion might be to fold proposed new
cooperation into the existing bilateral climate change
dialogue, ongoing since 2001. Alternatively, the USG may
prefer instead to work through G8 initiatives, such as the
International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, Methane
to Markets, etc.
ROME 00000205 002.2 OF 002
5. (U) Action request. Post requests Washington agencies
review the Letter of Intent proposed by the GOI and
indicate whether Secretary Bodman would be interested in
signing this Letter of Intent during his February 6 meeting
with Minister Bersani. If so, please indicate if the
proposed text in paragraph three is acceptable. After
February 2, Minister Bersani and his party can be reached
through the Italian Embassy in Washington. End action
requested.
SPOGLI