EU Energy and Transport Commissioner Ms Loyola de Palacio said the European Commission's estimate of a euro zone GDP growth of 1.7 per cent this year remains valid despite the risk that high oil prices can stifle economic growth.
In an interview with the daily Il Sole 24 Ore, Ms de Palacio said growth in the region in the first months of the year was higher than expected but warned that higher oil prices will have an impact on growth.
However, the euro's rise against the dollar could cushion the blow, she said.
She said that Europe has to focus on improving efficiency in the use of energy and renewable energy.
When asked about nuclear energy, which was banned in Italy in the 80s, Ms de Palacio said it is technology that "can't be ignored", being a energy source "like others".
