SESSION I: GEORGIA, REGIONAL STABILITY AND EUROPEAN ENERGY SECURITY

TOPICS and QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED: EU Global Strategy on foreign and security policy, its implementation and implications for regional security; East-West trade, transit corridor and the role of Georgia; the role of Georgia in the diversification of the European Union’s energy supply – ongoing projects and perspectives; gradual harmonization with the EU energy acquis and Georgia’s accession to the Energy Community – benefits, challenges and the way forward; Georgia as a potential supplier of renewable energy; and the significance of energy cooperation and interconnections as well as implications for promoting regional stability.

How do the challenges that beset Europe affect the Eastern neighbourhood and the South Caucasus? What role may Georgia and Eastern neighbours play in mitigating challenges? What are the implications of enhanced EU-NATO cooperation on security and stability in the Black Sea region? What are the challenges and implications of Georgia’s membership in the Energy Community for regional and local energy security? What are the prospects of increasing the production of renewable energy in Georgia? How can Georgia become a supplier of renewable energy? How can energy cooperation contribute to nurturing regional stability?

FORMAT: Moderated discussion

MODERATOR:

Mr. Giorgi Chikovani – Energy & Water Component Lead, USAID “Governance for Growth” (G4G)

SPEAKERS:

H.E. Mikheil Janelidze – Vice Prime-Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
Mr. Ilia Eloshvili – Minister of Energy of Georgia
Mr. George Katrougkalos – Alternate Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic
Mr.Konrad Szymański –  Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland
Ms. Rebecca Harms – Member of the European Parliament in the Greens/EFA Group; Co-President of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly; Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Member

Special Remarks: H.E. Yuri Sterk – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria

Followed by Q&A