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MEP Ramona Mănescu (PPE): Romania can redraw Europe’s energy map

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sigla ppe bunaMEP Ramona Mănescu (PPE) held a speech at the Romania ENERGY DAY 2015 – “Energy Union: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Energy in Central and South East Europe” event at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Excerpt out of the speech:

I am honoured to have been invited to participate to the Romania ENERGY DAY Conference. I consider it a very good event, especially because it has a direct focus on Romania.

I would like to congratulate the Romanian Energy Centre for organising this event, which is already at its fourth edition this year and I hope that all our efforts and all the efforts that the European Union is doing will bring positive visible results for Romania and its people.

ramona manescu energy

It is a great pleasure for me to be here and to share with you my view regarding the challenges and Investment opportunities in the energy sector.

As a Member of the AFET Committee within the European Parliament, I would also like to underline the connection between the Energy Security and Foreign Policy, because they work together, they are strongly connected!

I would like to use the opportunity to bring into discussion the connection between the main topic of this event: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Energy and the focus of the present session: Facilitating investments and security in indispensable Electricity Infrastructure.

I strongly believe that currently, the challenges are exactly the ones that are driving the opportunities for the future and these opportunities are represented by investments in all the aspects of energy infrastructure.

Romania is placed on the World Map at the intersection of several economic axes that are also geo-political ones, connecting Western Europe with Eastern Europe and further with Asia. Out of these axes, the one favouring the most Romania from an energy perspective is the maritime one, especially the Caspian Sea – Black Sea one.

In this enlarged area, geo-historically, Romania had a stabilizing and securing role, playing a defensive or gate of offensive role in some moments or a unifying role in others. With this roles assumed, and knowing the EU has already recognized for some years the strategic role of South Caucasus for its energy interests Romania is capable to maximize its position. Having a strong competition coming from Bulgaria and Turkey for the position of transit country in the European effort of diversifying energy sources, Romanian goals can only be achieved by a very active diplomacy on bilateral relations. This can bring that much needed advantage point that later translates into energy infrastructure projects.

Energy infrastructure development, according with the objectives set by the Energy Roadmap 2050 involves both a replacement/modernisation of the outdated segments and building new interconnections, needed for a Unique Energy Market.

All this new investments must be done using modern technologies, with low carbon emissions, this way assuring their long run in good conditions.
Also, we must not forget that such investments of updating the infrastructure with the new standards, are involving costs. These costs will imply upon industries, bringing new costs for the companies and lowering their competitiveness comparative with other entities from the rest of the world.
Energy sources diversification is another goal of Energy Roadmap 2050. This will assure us that hydrocarbons exporters will not use their capacities as a politico-strategic weapon.

The main challenges in promoting energy projects are:
• bringing together in a unitary and consistent opinion all the countries that are part of an energy project path
• securing the financing for such projects

It must be added that any energy project has a strategic meaning in addition to the commercial one.

And here is where it comes the opportunity of investments, infrastructure development and research in the area of producing, transporting and supplying of energy with a double target:

  • stabilizing a whole region by offering alternatives and opportunities
  • assuring long term energy security and sustainability by multiplying and diversifying energy sources and offering a predictable market for this supply

Romania is a country that I am proud to say that is present in the World statistics as the first country to have an industrial production of crude oil. The oil production is followed closely by the whole oil industry, research, infrastructure and then the horizontal industry, like the petro-chemical one. The international demand of energy resources is one of the reasons why today Constanta is the biggest port at the Black Sea and a major energetic hub for the whole European Union.

Romanian experience helps me to understand the complicated but strong connections between energy, resources, security, economic development, regional stability, political relations and conflicts.

Also, I can see a clear picture of a country that once was a major oil exporter but, under the pressure of the continuous reducing of natural reserves, evolved to a new stage where it invested in nuclear energy and has a long term nuclear program, developed a whole industry of renewable resources, from research to production and big Aeolian or photo-voltaic farms, and used its broad knowledge in hydrocarbons extraction, transport and storage to become an energy hub for a region where energy security is now the strongest diplomatic tool.

I believe that under the global discussion about energy security, combined with the pressure coming from the assumed goals of sustainability and reduced pressure over the climatic system, energy production in the shape of fossil fuels was, is and it will continue to be an engine that will assure the future development and stability.

The opportunities offered by the renewable energies in terms of research, production, implementation and operation are just starting to uncover.

This is where EU countries have a head start that can be turned into opportunities for cutting edge companies. I know a lot of Romanian companies capable to start from an idea and finish with a fully functional investment in areas like energy efficiency or renewable energy production. Also, I know some Romanian companies very active in research and innovation, that maybe are not as famous as Tesla, but that are capable to bring to life really amazing projects in areas that are harnessing wind or solar energy.

Interconnectivity of various energy transport and storage systems, that is more and more needed, offers another opportunity of investments, jobs creation and sustainability. Some good examples are the on-going and future projects of connecting the gas and oil resources, recently discovered in the Black Sea, through the hub offered by the Constanta Port, with the high demand coming from countries that are massively dependant on Russian exports.

These opportunities can take the European experience in renewable energies into new geographical areas and bring back here, on the EU territory, reliable sources and capacities of traditional fuels as fossil fuels.

I believe that the recent European Energy Security Strategy that the European Commission has released which outlines the framework for improved energy security, can be the fundament for future investments and opportunities on a large scale.

The EU Institutions are developing a European Energy Policy which aims first of all to ensure freedom, security and growth in Europe.Romania is the 7th country in size in Europe. It has a big potential that must be harnessed and in its efforts EU can significantly contribute in the benefit of all.

Foreign companies, interested in develop energy projects in South-East Europe, can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Romanian economic environment.
The privatisation process, opening and deregulation of the internal market, together with the connections at regional level makes Romania a very profitable choice.

Following the approval process for the Energy Union Strategy and the profound regional shifts, Romania has the chance to promote its projects within EU financing schemes, in the benefit of both EU market and regional stability.

A good example could be EU – Turkmenistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that still waits a green light from the European Parliament. Being the rapporteur on this document I can see the potential for both sides from an energy point of view if such an agreement becomes a reality. On one hand, EU weans off from the dependence on Russian gas. On the other, Turkmenistan gains a reliable, predictable and stable partner which helps an economy that is more and more dependent on its incomes from hydrocarbons.

This cannot be done only by EU itself. Member States, based on bilateral relations, can set the cornerstone for future development. I mention this because such a need has the potential to become a major opportunity for Romania which is positioned in the right place, has a good infrastructure of gas pipelines and keeps on expanding its interconnections.

Common goals can also bring constructive answers to questions like the Russia role in this equation or the Iranian issue. They can also represent a long term basis for economic development, which, in return, is capable to support regional stability and security.

Energy infrastructure: pipes or cables that are crossing the borders or the water routs that are crossing straits and national waters today, have the power to unite or to disrupt, to bring well-being and development or cause conflicts and chaos.

I am very optimistic and I think that we have in front of us a huge potential. I can see it and I am certain that through meetings, like the one of today, we will manage to understand it better. I trust that our goals will have fruitful results: peace, prosperity and sustainability.

As a conclusion, we can all agree, that important own resources, perfect positioning and a serious infrastructure – Romania can redraw Europe’s energy map.

 

 

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Romanian Space Agency and University Politehnica of Bucharest, joint workshop dedicated to identifying innovative solutions and facilitating partnerships between public and private actors in the fields of cybersecurity and space

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© ROSA

The Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) and the National University for Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, with the support of the EU Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), organised on Wednesday, 20 March, a workshop on “Cybersecurity and Advanced Space Technologies”, to explore innovative solutions and to stimulate strategic actions, as well as to facilitate the forging of partnerships between public and private actors in the fields of cybersecurity and space.

The workshop hosted by the National University for Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest was held in a hybrid format, with the participation of representatives from academia, ROSA and ECCC, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Defence, the National Cyber Security Directorate, but also from the private sector, with companies such as certSIGN, Thales, CS Group Romania, Eviden or AROBS, which are active in the digital transformation, big data, encryption, software solutions development, electronics and cybersecurity markets.

The discussions, open to stakeholders from the industry, research sphere, academia and students of the National University for Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, focused on current trends in advanced space technologies, in particular on redefining and strategically strengthening the cyber resilience of critical infrastructures and services in space taking into account lessons learned from large-scale incidents on Earth; the role of technological innovation in preventing and countering cyber risks and threats, as well as managing future challenges and exploiting opportunities to create robust defence mechanisms.

Also, Romanian companies with a tradition in the IT&C field highlighted tangible results achieved for the development and innovation of the field and for the extension of technological solutions to the space domain, as well as the partnerships established with public and private stakeholders, both at national and European level, aimed at researching and developing innovative technological solutions for civil and military applications.

Finally, discussions also focused on the collaboration between the cybersecurity and space domains, with an emphasis on identifying the most appropriate pathways for cooperation between the two industries to address common cyber risks and challenges, e.g. based on a risk assessment model or through a cyber security operations centre serving entities in a common administrative area.

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Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council and CoR rapporteur, supports the introduction of an infringement procedure against EU countries that do not seriously consider compensation for damage caused by large carnivores to livestock or crops

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© European Union / Fred Guerdin

Csaba Borboly, president of Harghita County Council and rapporteur of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) for the draft opinion on ”Biodiversity protection and coexistence with large carnivores in Europe – challenges and opportunities for local and regional authorities”, supports, among other things, the introduction of an infringement procedure in European legislation against countries that do not take seriously the compensation of damage caused by large carnivores to livestock or crops.

At a local dialogue organised by Harghita County Council and the CoR on 8 March in Miercurea-Ciuc, Csaba Borboly discussed the need to strengthen EU action for a European policy on large carnivores, underlining the transnational nature of the issue of harmonious coexistence with these animals and calling for sustained efforts at European, national, regional and local level to find new ways for the sustainable and safe coexistence of farm animals, humans and large terrestrial, marine and flying carnivores.

Borboly stressed that dialogue with the European institutions is essential to promote these concerns at the European decision-making level. In addition to ongoing negotiations with the European Commission and the European Parliament, he said, regional and local authorities must be actively involved in the process of developing specific solutions. He also stressed the importance of supporting politicians who back these initiatives and underlined the desire to create a platform at the regional level in Harghita County to develop specific solutions.

“With the report, we are in permanent negotiations with the representatives of the European Commission, here I am referring first of all to the Directorate General for Environment where there is a department for biodiversity, and, besides, to the European Parliament where we try to support with arguments the work of the MEPs who support us, and at home we would like to achieve the creation of a regional platform for large carnivores in Harghita County in the framework of the new European platform for large carnivores, where we can elaborate specific solutions. We also hope that the Government and Parliament will consider these things, and in parallel, there are several analyses and studies on what is not working and how we could improve things, and we are trying to formulate amendments to the legislation. Then we go further to the European Union level, where we have the opportunity to present the report when there are preparatory discussions for the decision-making act, then we can regularly present it at the European big platform meetings and at several public policy debates. Now we have Hungary coming up for the EU Presidency in the summer and if the Hungarian Presidency finds the issue important enough to put it on the agenda, then we will most likely have better results. These are the directions we can take”, said the President of Harghita County Council, CoR rapporteur.

He also highlighted the need for a more coherent and coercive approach at the European level in terms of compliance with biodiversity conservation and habitat protection legislation. He stressed that the lack of enforcement levers in international legislation makes it difficult to implement and comply with these rules, insisting on the need to find effective ways to monitor and sanction Member States that do not fulfill their obligations.

“As I said, on many levels we are moving forward and so far we have been able to solve many things at home, for some we have also had political decisions and regulations, for others we have not. I don’t follow that path – what would happen if we didn’t do anything? – we are moving forward. What has changed from the previous report is that we have included a provision saying that it is not okay if a Member State does not take citizens’ problems seriously. There is a new element in this report, to see if we get support from Brussels to launch an infringement procedure against those states that are not serious about providing compensation and solving the whole problem. Because I have worked with many ministers here, all of whom were well-meaning, but somehow in Parliament, here and there, on the stairs of the Academy, some things got bogged down, not all of them, but some of them, and we see that if there is infringement for waste management and everyone takes the position of the righteous, the mayors are fined for things they did not do, or for waste dumps that were there for who knows when; if there is infringement for air, for water, then we need this infringement procedure on this subject too. I believe that the international legislative framework is not complete here, and there is no coercive leverage. We have levers, what species are protected, and how to protect them, but for Articles 14 and 16, for habitats, for ensuring they are respected, for ensuring that human life and health come first, we do not have any levers. This is why I am saying this, when we also have elections for the European Parliament and this is why I wanted to have this debate and I hope that the two representatives of the RMDSZ in the European Parliament will take up this issue”, explained Csaba Borboly.

Finally, Borboly expressed the hope that through sustained efforts at European level and the active involvement of local and regional stakeholders, it will be possible to find appropriate solutions to a complex problem such as the harmonious coexistence of humans, domestic animals, and large carnivores, thus contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of the interests of local communities.

“The mills are working slowly to solve this problem. Let’s hope that the Environment Ministry and Brussels will be more courageous on this issue. At the moment I don’t see a better solution for this, than just to work together, to collect data, because I see that things are getting simpler ‘to shoot or not to shoot’; if we stick to this it all gets bogged down. If we simplify things to protected-unprotected status again, things get stuck again. There are many facts that people don’t know because we don’t have data. We know how many birds there are at European level, but we don’t know how many bears, and we could list the rest of the things, the compensation, etc. In 2028 the new funding period starts at the EU level, there will be a lot of opportunities, but there is no point in going for separate money for large carnivores then because it is late. Now a solution is being prepared and at these events we attend I see that many geese beat a pig and somehow we have to put our opinion forward in the European Union”, concluded the President of the CJ Harghita and CoR rapporteur.

The event “Biodiversity protection and coexistence with large carnivores in Europe – Challenges and opportunities for local and regional authorities”, held in Miercurea-Ciuc, brought together numerous speakers and addressed various topics related to biodiversity conservation and the relationship with large carnivores.

During the first part of the dialogue, European perspectives were discussed, with presentations and debates given by key figures such as Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council, László Csák, expert, and Robert Zeman from the European Committee of the Regions. Other notable participants were MEP Herbert Dorfmann and Dr Miklós Heltai, Director of the MATE Wildlife Management Institute.

The second part of the dialogue focused on the situation in Romania and Harghita County, with presentations by officials such as Gabriel Oltean, Ministerial Advisor, and specialists such as Dr. Róbert Szép from the Research and Development Institute for Wildlife Management and Mountain Resources. Also included were perspectives from civil society, represented by Levente Miklós and Hadnagy Lehel.

The dialogue also included video messages from Professor Dr. Ovidiu Ionescu and Dr. Valeria Salvatore, who made important contributions related to the presentation of the Harghita County Regional Platform.

Moderated by journalist Dan Cărbunaru, the event focused on bringing together local and regional authorities, scientific experts and other stakeholders to share experiences and ideas on biodiversity conservation and coexistence with large carnivores, taking into account the Romanian legislative context. Professional presentations and networking sessions resulted in a better understanding of current challenges and possible solutions, as well as the creation of new connections and exchange of ideas among participants.

 

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Harghita County Council and the European Committee of the Regions organise a local dialogue on biodiversity protection and coexistence with large carnivores in Europe (LIVE, 8 March, 09.00)

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© Consiliul Județean Harghita

Harghita County Council, together with the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), is organising a local dialogue in Miercurea-Ciuc on Friday, 8 March 2024 on the protection of biodiversity and the coexistence of large carnivores in Europe, based on the draft opinion of CoR on this issue, coordinated by the President of Harghita County Council, Csaba Borboly (EPP-RO), as rapporteur.

Entitled “Biodiversity protection and coexistence with large carnivores in Europe – Challenges and opportunities for local and regional authorities –“, the event will start at 09.00 and will be broadcast LIVE on CaleaEuropeană.ro and on the Calea Europeană Facebook page.

 

The event will address both the European, national, and local dimensions of the topic. The full agenda is available here.

The first part of the dialogue will address the European perspective and will start with a presentation by the rapporteur, President of CJ Harghita Csaba Borboly, followed by a debate with László Csák, who will present the expert’s point of view, and Robert Zeman (CZ/ECR), shadow rapporteur at the European Committee of the Regions.

The panel will also include MEP Herbert Dorfmann and Dr Miklós Heltai, Director of the MATE Wildlife Management Institute.

The second part of the dialogue will address “Protection of biological diversity and coexistence with large carnivores in Romania and Harghita County”. This panel will include:

– Gabriel Oltean, Ministerial Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests;

– Levente Miklós, Rural Development Association of Harghita County Council, on “Wildlife damage caused by brown bears in Harghita County. Aggregated data of the last ten years”;

– Director Dr. Róbert Szép, Research and Development Institute for Wildlife and Mountain Resources Management, on “Practical research results of the Institute for Research and Development of Wildlife and Mountain Resources”;

– Hadnagy Lehel, Engineer, Silos Hunting Association, on “To shoot or not to shoot – the situation of bears through the eyes of a game manager in Harghita”;

During this panel, Professor Dr. Ovidiu Ionescu, ICAS, and Dr. Valeria Salvatore, ecologist, Institute of Applied Ecology, Italy, will deliver video messages on “Regional platform support in meeting the challenges posed by coexistence with large carnivores in 2024”.

The local dialogue is moderated by journalist Dan Cărbunaru, director of CaleaEuropeană.ro.

The aim of the event is to bring together local and regional authorities, scientific experts, and stakeholders, providing an opportunity to share experiences and ideas on biodiversity conservation and coexistence with large carnivores, considering Romanian legislation.

Professional presentations in various fields will contribute to a deeper understanding of current challenges and possible solutions, while networking sessions will provide an opportunity to make new connections and exchange ideas.

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