The European Commissioner responsible for Energy, Ms Kadri Simson and the Croatian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mr. Tomislav Ćorić hosted today the 7th Central and South-Eastern European energy connectivity (CESEC) Ministerial videoconference.
Building on the conclusions agreed at senior officials’ level on 25 March 2020, the CESEC meeting participants reaffirmed their willingness to reinforce regional cooperation, coordination and solidarity needed to address the energy challenges faced in this region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic and social damage to the European economies, affecting many sectors, including the countries of the CESEC region.
To help repair the damage, the European Commission has proposed Next Generation EU, a recovery plan for Europe, based on harnessing the full potential of the EU budget to mobilise private investment.
Investment in the energy sector supporting the profound transformation to achieve climate neutrality by mid-century, building on the European Green Deal, can make a significant contribution to the recovery programme, offer an opportunity to bring stimulus to the European economies and create opportunities for growth and employment.
The CESEC cooperation has already proven its usefulness in driving investments in energy interconnections to deepen market integration and boost security of supply.
Furthermore, the CESEC framework will continue its mission and contribute identifying the right priorities in the region for energy investments and implementing new projects to support a green recovery.
In this context, Ministers exchanged views on the potential of renewable energy in the CESEC region based on the presentation of the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Ministers also discussed the challenges and opportunities related to the decarbonisation of the gas sector with the participation of the International Energy Agency and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.
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Details
- Publication date
- 2 October 2020
- Author
- Directorate-General for Energy
- Location
- Brussels