The energy ministers of 9 EU member states in the Mediterranean region held a meeting in the capital city of Malta on the 18th, agreeing to establish a Mediterranean green energy hub to accelerate the EU's efforts to achieve decarbonization and energy independence. These nine countries include Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. In a joint statement released after the meeting that day, they stated that the Mediterranean region can become a center for renewable energy investment, promoting European investment in green energy by promoting the interconnection of offshore renewable energy and new energy between the EU and non EU countries in the region. They agreed to prioritize investment in areas such as offshore renewable energy, solar photovoltaic power generation systems, and renewable energy hydrogen production. The statement states that the nine countries will invite the European Commission to conduct research on the feasibility of building a green energy corridor between EU and non EU countries in the Mediterranean region, and prioritize funding for energy connectivity in the region. The Energy Minister of Malta, Miriam Dali, who presided over the meeting that day, stated that investing in renewable energy infrastructure is not only a forward-looking commitment with long-term goals, but also the best solution to address current challenges. The European Commission's member in charge of energy affairs, Kadley Simson, who attended the meeting, stated that the meeting held on that day coincided with the one-year anniversary of the release of the EU's "REPowerEU" energy plan, which aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, increase investment in energy efficiency, and promote diversification of energy supply. The European Commission will help the Mediterranean region build a green energy hub. (New News Agency)