International Conference

Lines of Power: The Politics of Energy in Southeast Europe

 

*** Participation only upon personal invitation ***

Conference Team: 

  • Jens Bastian
  • Hanns Seidel Foundation, Athens Office
  • Anja Quiring
  • Hansjörg Brey

Background

In the course of the past five years Southeast Europe has become a focal point of regional energy policy initiatives. These include, inter alia, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the Greece- Bulgaria Interconnector and the signing of the EastMed Initiative between Greece, Cyprus and Israel in 2020. Moreover, the European Green Deal challenges countries in the region to adjust their energy [policy] mix.

These projects highlight different energy sources, financing arrangements and configurations of cooperating countries involved. What they have in common is the emergence of new constellations of regional cooperation between countries; be they bilateral, trilateral or even multilateral. However, as events in the Aegean have illustrated in 2020 energy projects are not only a means of cooperation, but also a catalyst for inter-regional competition and potential conflict.

The conference seeks to highlight the changing landscape of energy projects, cooperation and competition in southeast Europe. The more these initiatives take shape, the more they impact on the energy security arrangements in the region. This development affects other countries, e.g., Turkey and Russia, who have competing energy projects in and through Southeast Europe.
Moreover, the new fields of energy cooperation raise the question, to what degree their execution incorporates necessary benchmarks such as sustainability, environmental impact assessment and the potential for a ‘Green Deal’ in southeast Europe.
 

Am 02.11.2021, 09:00 Uhr

Ort: Amalia Hotel, Leoforos Amalias 10, 10557 Athens

In cooperation with:

Hanns Seidel Stiftung, Athens Office

Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.