The declaration adopted at summit of the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) in Riga on May 22, 2015 devotes a special attention to the gas issues.
The declaration states that the participants of the Summit reaffirm their common interest in strengthening energy security, sustainability and competitiveness and in enhancing the diversification of supply.
“They reiterate their intention to deepen further bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the sphere of energy. Participants emphasize the need for well-functioning energy markets with a stable, transparent and investor friendly regulatory framework, rule of law and a gradual liberalization of the market, when appropriate, to provide a basis for investments,” the declaration says.
The participants of the Summit will promote an inclusive and open policy on energy security, transportation and supply. They underline the contribution that energy efficiency and renewable energy can make to increased security of supply, and encourage practical cooperation between the EU and Eastern European partners in this respect.
“They acknowledge the progress made on major energy infrastructure projects and interconnectivity enhancements put in place since the last summit, including opening natural gas reverse flow capacities to Ukraine from Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, the particular role played by Azerbaijan as well as the contribution by others in the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor and the ongoing work on the expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline, and the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline,” the declaration says.
According to the declaration, interconnection between Romania and Moldova is a priority for the EU.
“Participants concerned reaffirm their commitment to facilitate the development, in a result-oriented way, of strategic infrastructure, notably in relation to the Southern Gas Corridor. The Summit participants also encourage and support the continuation of gas and electricity interconnections both inside the EU and between the EU and its Eastern European partners, including through standard Interconnection Agreements between Transmission System Operators. They look forward to continued EU support for the modernization of the Ukrainian Gas Transmission System as a key part of the European grid network,” the declaration says.
Participants take note of the progress made on energy sector reform in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, in line with EU energy market legislation under the Energy Community and note the importance of further work and implementation in this field. They emphasize the importance of the EU’s continued role in facilitating gas talks between Russia and Ukraine that will contribute to underpinning the stable, sufficient and uninterrupted gas flow to Europe and the work to develop an energy contingency plan.
“The Summit participants welcome the objective of the Energy Union regarding the closer integration of the EU and Energy Community energy markets. They also welcome the progress in the negotiations for Georgia’s accession to the Energy Community. They welcome the work towards the inclusion of Energy Community members in the Central and South Eastern Gas Connectivity Steering Group and the interest of Azerbaijan to participate as an observer in this 13 Group. They welcome the conclusion of the Cooperation Arrangement between the European Commission and Belarus on an Early Warning Mechanism,” the declaration says.
