Romania, Bulgaria and Greece sign joint declaration for regional energy projects

Romania has signed, together with Bulgaria and Greece, a joint declaration for regional energy projects, with investments in offshore wind power plants and hydrogen in the foreground, the Energy Ministry announced on Friday.According to a press release, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja alongside Rumen Radev, Bulgarian Energy Minister, and Theodoros Skylakakis, Greek Energy and Environment Minister signed the Declaration of Intent for the Development of a Pillar for Renewable Energy in South-East Europe between the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania.The Romanian Energy minister was in Athens on Thursday and Friday for the ministerial meeting of the High Level Group on Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity.According to the source, the declaration transforms the three countries into a strong regional energy hub capable of attracting European funding for joint energy projects.The declaration has three components, namely the joint development of wind energy projects at sea, in the Black Sea and in the Aegean Sea, including by accessing funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), establishing a regional Renewable Hydrogen Centre with the participation of authorities, transport system operators and the industry, and jointly developing cross-border electric vehicle charging infrastructure."Our participation in this important forum represents a clear commitment of Romania to the energy security and sustainability of our region. During the discussions we stressed the urgent need to reduce our dependence on external energy resources, especially in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression in Ukraine. Our joint efforts in diversifying energy sources and strengthening interconnection infrastructure demonstrate our vision and determination to build a more secure and greener energy future," Sebastian Burduja said.According to him, Romania is appreciated at the highest level as a leader in the energy sector in Central and South-East Europe."We have the resources, the energy and the determination to be an essential provider of security and prosperity for the entire region and we are ready to play this role. The joint declaration with Greece and Bulgaria is a first. Whether we are talking about wind energy in the Black Sea or in the Adriatic Sea, about hydrogen, or about the network of fast charging stations for electric cars, we have common goals: to attract investment, to ensure accelerated implementation of projects and to transform our economies and societies for a safer, more prosperous and greener future," the Romanian Energy minister went on to say.During the meeting in Athens, Sebastian Burduja also had a bilateral meeting with Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy."The main topics of discussion were improving energy security in the region, increasing the number, quality and impact of joint renewable energy projects, integrating low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and biomethane into the energy mix and strengthening interconnections for the natural gas and electricity transmission network," the press release added.During the meeting, Minister Sebastian Burduja also had important bilateral meetings with host Theodoros Skylakakis, Minister of Energy and Environment of the Republic of Greece, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, Minister of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia, Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.