What goes in Poland on 17th of May?
Central and Eastern Europe Summit
Today at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, speakers of parliaments of Central and Eastern European states will meet. Andrzej Duda, the Polish President, will host speakers and vice-speakers of parliaments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, as well as Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kazakhstan.
Gazterm 2017
The Gazterm 2017 forum is coming to an end. The conference is the ultimate place for users of the gas, heat and electricity markets to share their expertise. It also hosts the latest technical and technological advancements of the energy sector. Representatives of the gas, heat and energy industry, as well as, members of the academic community, and producers of gas and energy equipment all met in Poland’s seaside town of Międzyzdroje. In 2016 the Polish gas sector has started to implement its strategic goals, which will significantly alter the Polish gas market, and will also change the gas supply model and trade relations between the Three Seas states (i.e. states between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas).
The experts discussed the greatest challenges the sector will face in the coming year. Most of all, the construction of the Northern Gate will create solid foundations for Poland’s energy security, while the gas hub included in the „Responsible Development Plan,” will significantly improve the functionality and liquidity of the Polish natural gas market. Completion of these ambitious endeavors, which are necessary for the good of the country, will entail an enormous organizational and financial effort, both on the national and international plane.
Against Gazprom
„Central and Eastern European countries are firmly opposed to a proposed settlement between Gazprom and the European Commission that spares the Russian company from paying a cent in fines on charges that it abused its market power,” writes Politico.
However, the authors of the article believe it is highly unlikely that the main victims of Gazprom’s policies – Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland will be able to derail the draft settlement.
On the other hand, the agreement is supported by the majority of the EC and powerful member states, including Germany, which has traditionally paid a lower price for Russian gas than Central Europe. The country is also involved in a number of projects with the Russian giant, most of all, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
The Commission has to approve the settlement this year. In the meantime, it could try to obtain further concessions from Gazprom, but the chances the settlement will not be signed are slight.