Alternative renewable energy should be developed instead CAIRO: Contradicting US policy, the European Union (EU) will not fully support Egypt's ambitions to create a nuclear program for peaceful energy purposes, a top EU diplomat said yesterday. Rather than pursuing nuclear power to solve the country's energy needs, Egypt should instead work towards energy diversification and the pursuit of alternative sources of power, said Klaus Ebermann, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt. "Nuclear energy is a rather controversial issue in Europe, Ebermann told reporters, noting that because of issues with fuel cycles and waste disposal, European nations are increasingly moving away from nuclear power as a viable energy source. "So I wouldn't expect that the European Union would come out in full support of Egypt developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, he added. "It's important for Egypt not to deal with such issues in isolation, but in a broader context, said Ebermann, noting that developing alternative and renewable energy sources should be paramount. Ebermann's comments stand in stark contrast to those made earlier this week by Robert Joseph, visiting U.S. State Department Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security, who said in a release that "the U.S. is encouraging Egypt to go ahead in its peaceful nuclear program. Joseph made the comments after meeting Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. In September last year, President Hosni Mubarak announced his intention to renew Egypt's nuclear program, which was suspended in 1986 after the Chernobyl disaster in the former Soviet Union. Underscoring the European opinion on energy issues, last week, German ambassador to Egypt Bernd Erbel told reporters that Germany was supporting Egyptian development of renewable energy sources by sharing technologies. Germany currently holds the current EU presidency. However, Erbel added that as a sovereign nation, Egypt is free to pursue nuclear energy.
