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ECFR and CER hold a high-level event in Brussels on energy security

On Tuesday 17 November 2009, foreign policy and energy experts from around Europe gathered in Brussels for an international roundtable on the topic of 'Achieving Energy Security in Europe'. The event was organised by ECFR together with the Centre for European Reform and with the support of the Swedish Presidency of the EU.

The opening remarks were given by the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, followed by Andris Piebalgs, the European Commissioner for Energy. ECFR's policy fellow Pierre Noel presented his most recent data on the issue and Maciej Wozniak, Special advisor on energy to the Prime Minister of Poland, as well as Dr. Michael Wunnerlich, BDEW German Association of Energy and Water Industries, spoke on the topic Dealing with Gas Supply Shocks. ECFR Council Member Steven Everts, Personal Representative for Energy and Foreign Policy of the SG/HR, opened a panel discussion on Diversifying Gas Supplies: How to Make the Southern Corridor a Reality, which included interventions from US government's special envoy for Eurasian energy Richard Morningstar and the Head of Turkey's Permanent Mission to the EU Selim Kuneralp.

Among attendees were representatives of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the Foreign, Economy and Energy Ministries of EU member states, permanent delegations to the EU, NGOs, think thanks, energy experts and representatives from private energy companies. The Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria actively participated in the roundtable and later joined a private high-level dinner discussion on Ukraine that was also attended by Javier Solana, the outgoing High Representative for Europe's Common, Foreign and Security Policy.