Romania calling on EC and neighboring states to speed up increase of electricity interconnection capacity 

  Romania is calling on the European Commission and neighboring states to speed up the process of increasing the electricity interconnection capacity, as lowering electricity prices is a key priority for the competitiveness of the European and Romanian industry, Secretary of State with the Energy Ministry Cristian Busoi argues."Mario Draghi's recent call, which can be viewed as a realistic analysis of the limits of Europe's role in this context of international tensions, against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict which affects the EU and, directly, Romania too, is a warning European and national policymakers should take into account. As chairman of the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), I had the experience of discussing with Mario Draghi measures regarding the competitiveness of the industry and solutions for the EU's energy market, with practical relevance for our country as well - and I can say that the warning of the former governor of the European Central Bank rings a serious alarm. One of Mario Draghi's main proposals for increasing European competitiveness referred to reducing energy prices. And the possible implementation solutions were the consolidation of the energy market through the centralized operation of cross-border energy flows; a single regulatory framework and rules to reduce protectionism; all this together with investments in nuclear, carbon capture, gas and renewables," Busoi said on Tuesday in a statement.According to him, Romania is affected by the high price of electricity, and the set of eight measures proposed last week by Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan "represents a framework for a precise move to lower prices that are weighing on the citizens and the industry.""In my capacity as Secretary of State responsible for coordinating the European and international relations of the Energy Ministry, one of my objectives is to take determined and consistent action with the European Commission and the states in the region, in order to increase the interconnection capacity, as an impactful solution for lowering energy prices," the official said.Regarding the initiative to address high energy costs by temporarily decoupling from the marginal price in crisis situations, as a continuation of the joint efforts of Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, "it should be said that Romania can increase the political pressure on the EC through regional cooperation," Cristian Busoi emphasized."Romania is taking determined action with the European Commission and the states in the region to increase the electricity interconnection capacity. Lowering the price of electricity is a key priority for the competitiveness of European and Romanian industry," the Secretary of State with the Energy Ministry opines.