Kosovo Like the OPEC Crisis in the 1970s?

The plenary session was resumed with addresses of the presidents of Romania and Serbia, and delegates from Slovenia, Greece and the EU.

Romanian President Traian Basescu called for an everyday application of the principle of solidarity in energy cooperation and an equal approach to energy security for all states. He emphasized Romania’s advocating of the three related strategic steps: a secure supply of energy resources, creating a free energy market, and coordination of energy policy. 

- Creating a free energy market is a priority. Also, Romania gives an advantage to an integrated regional energy market over exclusive contracts – said Basescu, adding that Moldova and the Ukraine ought to be included in the regional market. 

Romania singled out the Pan-European pipeline from Constanza to Trieste and the gas pipeline Nabucco as direct, sustainable and safe infrastructure lines from the Caspian region.   

Serbia defending its territorial integrity  

Serbian President Boris Tadic stressed the importance of the geostrategic position of Southeast Europe and called the region the bridge between countries rich with oil and gas and Europe.

Serbian President pointed to the complex problems of the regions which supply energy resources – the Near East, Caspian and Black Sea region. He said that Kosovo and Metohija were a complex problem of the region and predicted a peaceful, mutually acceptable solution based on compromise for the provinces. 

- Serbia remains loyal to international law and defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity – Tadic explained Serbia’s stance on Kosovo and equated the possibility of its secession with the oil crisis of the OPEC member states in the 1970s.

- We have gathered here at a moment that is reminiscent of the one in the 1970s when the crisis in the OPEC countries caused great turbulence in the global economy – said Tadic. – Such a turbulence in our region would be caused by the resolution of the Kosovo issue which would not be maintainable and a compromise.   

Tadic expressed support for the Pan-European pipeline Constanza-Trieste, also advocated by Greek Deputy Minister of Development Anastasios Nerantzis. 

We will not go back to the stone age 

Nerantzis emphasized the need to diversify gas and oil pipelines’ directions and singled out the excellent cooperation with Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria in building new pipelines. He voiced Greece’s opposition to nuclear energy and advocated the supply of hydrogen energy. 

- Greece is not opposed to nuclear energy because of the seismic movement of the national soil, but because of the many dangers that would pose a threat in case of a disaster – said Nerantzis, who promoted the regional motto, “passive consumer today, energy destination of the future.” 

Slovenian delegate Ziga Turk expressed his concern over the supply of carbon-based energy sources and advocated energy efficiency that strives to preserve the environment and fight climate changes.  

- We are not planning to go back to the stone age and into the caves – Turk said. – We are advocating the development of our countries and that requires a supply of dependable, cost-effective and pure energy. 

Next summit in Montenegro    

Cristobal Burgos-Alonso, European Commission advisor at the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, stressed the security, competitiveness and sustainability of energy as European Union’s priorities. He cited the need for consensus in resolving energy issues and the importance of building good neighbourly relations and energy cooperation. 

- We wish to develop relations based on trust – said Alonso. – European Union’s priniciple is a balanced relationship based on lack of discrimination and a transparent approach to energy. 

All the participants at the summit showed political will for further cooperation in the field of energy. Heads and representatives of the countries that participated promised to strengthen regional relations for the sake of national and regional energy interests. 

The next energy summit of ministers will take place in Montenegro on June 29.