Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME683
2007-04-04 05:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

NEXT STEPS ON GOI PROPOSED ENERGY COOPERATION

Tags:  ECON ENRG IT 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHRO #0683 0940533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040533Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7596
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 2295
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 8525
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 2443
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

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