Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has travelled to Brussels to take part in EU Sustainable Energy Week and to showcase the significant progress being made in Northern Ireland in the development of sustainable transport solutions.

The Minister will join experts and opinion formers from across the European Union at key events over three days of the week long programme of engagements. The EU led programme is aimed at promoting renewable energy solutions to help the EU meet climate and energy targets.

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Kennedy said: "I will be showcasing to our EU counterparts how Northern Ireland leads the way in a number of areas in the development and introduction of sustainable transport solutions.

"I will continue to build on the already strong working relationships we share with others in the EU to further enhance our profile as a world leader in transport innovation."

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In the first of a series of engagements the Minister hosted EU Commission officials and regional colleagues on board the Wrightbus 'New Bus' for London. Designed and manufactured in Northern Ireland, the vehicle uses the latest green diesel-electric hybrid technology to increase fuel efficiency. It produces just half the carbon dioxide of a conventional diesel bus.

The Minister later went on to officially open the Northern Ireland Executive's Energy Days event and deliver the keynote address.

The three-day high level conference brings key European contacts together to share experience, discuss innovation and to build partnerships for future collaboration.

The Minister's address highlighted the success of the ecar Project in Northern Ireland which, with EU funded support, has created one of the first international electric vehicle highways in the world.

The Minister said: "My Department successfully secured European funding to improve and develop the transport networks in Northern Ireland. It is vital that we ensure the continuation of EU funding support for Northern Ireland’s sustainable transport infrastructure.

"Sustainable transport will help to make Northern Ireland more attractive to investment from other member states and beyond and it will help provide valuable opportunities to grow the Northern Ireland economy."

(CD/JP)