February 16, 2007	Friday	Muharram 27, 1428

BRUSSELS, Feb 15: The 27 EU nations on Thursday moved towards a common energy policy, agreeing on cleaner fuel targets while watering down a proposal to force the break-up of the sector into production and distribution operators.

"We have made a breakthrough and we have now adopted a draft energy action plan," said German Economy Minister Michael Glos, who chaired the meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, last month proposed measures aimed at moving the bloc towards a common energy policy in a bid to tackle climate change and soaring energy prices as well as to provide a more level playing field for the industry.—AFP