Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum debates energy security amidst Russian invasion of Ukraine

Parliamentarians of the Energy Community Contracting Parties and the European Parliament met today in Brussels under the umbrella of the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum. In the presence of EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, Members of Parliament discussed how to strengthen Europe’s energy security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Support for the energy sector of Moldova and Ukraine and enhanced European energy market integration were also discussed.   

The Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament, Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, said: “As the war in Ukraine reshapes EU energy policy, we must look for joint solutions to ensure affordable, sustainable and secure energy for European citizens. Energy market integration with our neighbours via the Energy Community is critical for strengthening the EU’s energy security and delivering on the objectives of the European Green Deal.”

The Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Chairman of the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum 2022, Andriy Gerus, underlined: “Ukraine is grateful to its EU and Energy Community partners for having come to its aid in these tragic times. The war is a dramatic wakeup call for our shared energy security. Ending dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast-tracking the clean energy transition are critical to strengthen the energy sector.”

Members of Parliament also exchanged views on accelerating the implementation of the European Green Deal to further the uptake of energy from renewable sources and advance Europe’s energy independence. It was underlined that the Energy Community is a key instrument of EU external energy policy.  

The Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum brings together representatives from each national parliament of the Contracting Parties (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine) and representatives of the European Parliament. The objective of the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum is to address shared energy challenges and support the establishment of a European energy market which works to the benefit of citizens.