V4 Think-Tank Platform - Working Group “Energy Security”
Opinion on the Communication of the European Commission “The Future Role of
Regional Initiatives”
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V4 Think-Tank Platform Working Group “Energy Security” welcomes the
Communication of the European Commission on the Future Role of Regional
Initiatives which rightly emphasizes growing importance of regional approach in
developing EU energy policy. Enhanced regional cooperation would have positive
impact on the process of setting up EU gas and electricity markets, as well as on
ensuring security through increase in regional resilience to potential supply
disruptions. Obviously, there is a need to combine top-down approach as exemplified
by subsequent liberalization packages with bottom-up activities as reflected for
instance by strengthened energy cooperation between Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland and Slovakia in the framework of Visegrad Group (V4).
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Current informal character of gas regions should be preserved, but certain
modifications are needed with respect to existing and proposed composition. The
Communication does not envisage a region, where all four Visegrad countries could
join their efforts. Thus, having in mind regional plans to develop cross-border
infrastructure, ownership structure of energy industries within the region and the need
for harmonizing regulatory policies it is important to ensure that all V4 countries
belong to one region with participation of Romania and Bulgaria, and with Croatia as
an observer. Such a step would reflect achievements of V4+ cooperation, and would
help to improve coordination of V4 projects using already existing institutions and
mechanisms. Moreover, these achievements have already been appreciated by the
Commission in its initiative to establish of High Level Group based on energy
cooperation of V4+ countries to devise an action plan for North-South gas, oil and
electricity interconnections. Common opportunities, risks and challenges require
common framework to be set up.
The V4 Think Tank Platform has the ambition of becoming a new and efficient instrument that would
enhance cooperation within the Visegrad Group. Its main aim is to create a platform for regular and
structured dialogue and for the exchange of views and ideas among the Visegrad experts from the nongovernmental sector. Besides creating a network of experts on Visegrad issues, the V4 Think Tank
Platform could also serve as a source of new proposals and recommendations for the governments of
the Visegrad countries, the Visegrad Group presidencies and the International Visegrad Fund.
1st meeting of the Working Group “Energy Security“
25 January 2010, Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI), Pohořelec 6, Prague, Czech Republic
COMPOSITION OF THE WORKING GROUP
Czech Republic
Petr Reimer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Filip Černoch, Masaryk University, Brno
Libor Lukášek, MERO – V-ce President of the WG
Jakub Jaroš, Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI)
Hungary
Balázs Felsmann, Force Motrice, former State Secretary for Energy
Natália Soczo, Senior Expert, MOL
Kornél Andzsans-Balogh, Regional Energy Centre
Balázs Magyar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Poland
Olaf Osica, Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW)
Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) – President of the WG
Maciej Kołaczkowski, Chief Specialist, Department of Economic Policy, MFA
Wojciech Konończuk, Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW)
Slovakia
Karel Hirman, Advisor to the Prime Minister, Section Director, Slovak Innovation and Energy
Agency
Alexander Duleba, Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SFPA)
Juraj Mesík, Consultant and Commentator
Silvia Čuntalová, Západoslovenská energetika
National Project Coordinators:
Jakub Jaroš, PSSI (Czech Republic)
András Deák, CENS CEU (Hungary)
Mateusz Gniazdowski, OSW (Poland)
Tomáš Strážay, RC SFPA (Slovakia)