The 4th Stakeholder Seminar of the ‘Sustainable energy’ priority area (PA2) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region was held in Brussels on 5 December 2017 at the premises of the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the European Union, with the participation of energy experts from the Danube Region countries and EU institutions.
The event was organized by the coordinating countries of the PA 2, Hungary and the Czech Republic, with the aim to identify the potential steps to complete gas market integration in the Danube Region in line with the Energy Union goals.
Following the opening remarks by Mr György Kozma, Head of Cabinet of the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU and Mr Roman Diatka, Head of Unit at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, two studies were presented as the kick-off presentations for the following panel discussion. The first one, elaborated by the Masaryk University, focused on the current situation and obstacles of the market integration, while the second one, prepared by the Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research (REKK), took a look at 2020 as an important milestone from an analytical approach and took stock on the important elements impacting the way ahead, such as policy questions, infrastructure and geopolitical developments.
In the course of the panel discussion focusing on gas market integration, energy experts shared up-to-date information about the impact of new U.S. sanctions on Russian energy export pipelines, and the status of the Ukrainian gas market integration, especially in light of the delayed Gazprom-Naftogaz decision. The panelists also discussed the Commission’s new amendment to the 3rd energy package, namely its timing, efficiency and applicability. The Gazprom-Naftogaz relationship, Gazprom’s prospects, aims and objectives, as well as the possible future of Ukraine as gas transit route was also discussed during the seminar.
