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Energy Commissioner: Black Sea region is of strategic importance to EU
28-07-2010
The Black Sea region is a production and transmission area of strategic importance for EU energy supply security andis therefore an important component of the EU’s external energy strategy, EUCommissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger has told a conference in Odessa.
“This strategic importance,” he said, “is reflected by the comprehensive and combined initiatives and cooperation policies established through INOGATE, the Baku process, the Eastern Partnership and, of course, our energy cooperation with each of the countries in the region.”
Turning to individual partner countries in the region, the Commissioner said Ukraine was “at a cross-road where it has a unique opportunity to ensure that it continues to make commercial sense for the gas market players to use the Ukrainian gas transportation network as one of the preferred routes for Russian gas supplies to the EU.”
Oetinger also underscored the importance of Russia as a key player in the Black Sea region adding the EU and Russia were interdependent. “We believe that Russia has an important contribution to make to multilateral energy organisations such as the Energy Charter. At the same time, we expect our Russian partners to understand our security of supply policy based on diversification of supply routes and sources,” he said.
The Commissioner described as “impressive” the investment programme started by Georgia to develop its hydro-generation capacities and its electricity interconnections with neighbouring countries, and said the EU would welcome Georgia’s application for full membership of the Energy Community.
Azerbaijan is a major energy player in the region and a key partner for the EU, Oettinger said, adding “The participation of Azerbaijan in the Eastern Partnership is a historic milestone and by signing the Southern Corridor Declaration in Prague, Azerbaijan has confirmed its critical role and commitment to building bridges to the EU.”
The EU aims at strengthening multilateral energy cooperation in the Black Sea region, said the Commissioner. “For those partner countries wishing so, the Energy Community Treaty is the main tool for further market and regulatory integration with the European Union,” he added. (ENPI Info Centre)
ENPI Info Centre webpage - Azerbaijan
ENPI Info Centre webpage - Ukraine
ENPI Info Centre webpage - Georgia
ENPI Info Centre webpage - Russia
