UK ambassador Jeremy Hill was one of the participants in a forum in Varna on June 2 on nuclear energy and the environment.

He said that the best option for Europe would be to have a variety of sources of energy.

Energy problems were among the most discussed topics not only in Europe, but throughout the world.

Hill quoted UK prime minister Tony Blair as saying that his country would not be able to fulfill its engagements on reducing harmful emissions unless it changed its energy policy. Finding alternate sources of energy would make this achievable.

Hill said that the European energy market could be liberalised, but said that the creation of new institutions was not necessarily the right solution.

National regulatory bodies should step up their international work, rather than creating a common regulatory body, he said.

Hill said that businesses should be encouraged to invest in energy efficiency and in reducing noxious air emissions.

He said that the EU should have a strategy for development of the sector after 2012 and also that the EU should have a leading role in the use of renewable energy sources.