Commissioner Hedegaard appreciated the participants' input on the realities of their various interests. She continues to push the EU's agenda for growth and jobs through investment in the green economy. She emphasised the economic argument for increased energy efficiency and a reduced dependence on fossil fuels, which last year alone cost the EU €513 billion.

The meetings were chaired by the Head of the European Commission Representation, Mr Martin Bugelli. The business stakeholders represented included the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry; the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU); Malta Enterprise; the Malta Employers' Association, the Gozo Business Chamber, and MEUSAC. For the dialogue with NGOs, Friends of the Earth, the Malta Water Association, Kummissjoni Ambjent, and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Birdlife Malta, and Ekoskola, were all represented.

Click here to see some pictures of the day.