NEXT STEPS ON GOI PROPOSED ENERGY COOPERATION

UNCLAS ROME 000683 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR KAREN HARBERT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ENRG IT SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS ON GOI PROPOSED ENERGY COOPERATION REF: ROME 205 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5. ¶2. (U) Summary. In a March 22 meeting, Ministry of Economic Development officials reiterated the GOI's desire to sign a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding cooperation in energy research and development, first raised by Economic Development Minister Bersani with Energy Secretary Bodman in February. Ministry officials proposed SIPDIS working-level meetings in April and June to negotiate an MOU text for signature at the World Energy Congress in Rome this November. End summary. ¶3. (U) Science Counselor and Econoff met March 22 with Vincenzo De Luca, Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Economic Development, and Sergio Garribba, former Ministry of Economic Development Director General for Energy, to discuss the GOI's proposed MOU on cooperation in energy research and development. Proposed MOU text was transmitted reftel, and discussed by Minister Bersani and Energy Secretary Bodman in February. The proposed MOU includes provisions for cooperation in research and development of carbon sequestration technology, hydrogen technology and economy, biofuels, and development of the next generation of nuclear reactors. ¶4. (U) De Luca and Garribba stated that Bodman was receptive to an MOU establishing areas of cooperation in energy research and development, and that Bodman agreed with the areas proposed by the GOI. De Luca and Garribba proposed that working-level meetings be held on the margins of the April 11 International Energy Agency (IEA) meeting in Paris and in advance of the June 13 USG-GOI bilateral on climate change in Washington, with additional meeting via digital video conference (DVC) or telephone conference call, as needed. The GOI's goal is to agree on language in time for Bersani and Bodman to sign the MOU during the World Energy Congress in Rome this November. De Luca and Garribba stressed the GOI wants to identify opportunities for "operational collaboration" within the four broad areas they have identified, and want U.S.-Italian collaboration to complement G8 and other multilateral initiatives. ¶5. (U) Action request. Post requests Washington's guidance via cable on the GOI's proposed MOU and on the feasibility of signing an agreement in November. End action requested. SPOGLI