Conference in Riga to discuss EU Energy Union
Within the framework of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Energy Union Conference will take place on 6 February 2015, in Riga.
The Latvian Presidency in collaboration with the European Commission (EC) is organising an event to encourage the discussion among the Energy Ministers of the EU Member States, representatives from the EU institutions and international organisations, scientists and other energy policy-makers on the new initiative to create a European Energy Union and its dimensions.
The Conference in Riga will serve as the first step to facilitate formation of the EU Energy Union. It will start the Riga Process in which political discussions on the key dimensions of the Energy Union - security of supplies, solidarity and trust, competitive and fully integrated internal energy market, energy demand reduction due to energy efficiency, decarbonisation of energy resources and technology development will take place.
In February 2015 the European Commission will release their policy paper on the Energy Union concept. Discussions will be continued during the Energy Council (5 March, 2015) which will provide an opportunity for addressing these issues in the European Council in March.
During the Conference the stakeholders will participate at the open session with five panel discussions on the key elements of the Energy Union. In addition, the Energy Ministers will have exchange of views during a closed session.
The Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefā oviā and the Minister of Economics, Dana Reizniece-Ozola will address the issue during their welcoming speeches, while representatives from the European Parliament and the International Energy Agency and several high-level energy experts from other EU institutions and organisations will take part in the panel discussions.
Information for the media
Photo, video opportunity. The press conference will be held during the conference in the National Library of Latvia, Mūkusalas iela 3, Riga.
The media accreditation is open until 4 February, 2015.