Building regional cooperation through a Mediterranean Gas Hub

11Sep
2018
Dinner debate in Strasbourg

Chaired by Jerzy Buzek MEP, President of the European Energy Forum

 

Speakers:

Mr. Lapo Pistelli, EVP International Affairs Department, Eni
Mr. Marc-Antoine Eyl-Mazzega, Director Centre for Energy, IFRI
Mr. Leonidas KIOUSSIS, International Relations senior expert, European Commission, DG Energy,  International Relations and Enlargement Unit.

 

The focus of Europe on its Mediterranean neighbourhood is gaining renewed interest, it seeks to address issues ranging from development to migration, from security to energy diversification. The significant natural gas discoveries across the Eastern Mediterranean – from Egypt to Lebanon, through Cyprus and Israel – have the potential to be a blueprint for cooperation between shores.

The speakers explained how the size of the gas finds can make the region a full-fledged hub for the production and exchange of gas, bringing economic and social benefits, political stabilisation and energy diversification and showing advantages for all the players in the region.

Governments and corporations have a key role in fostering the development of gas production and commercialisation. What should they do to make it a winning game for as many countries and companies as possible? How can the European Union contribute to use gas discoveries as a source of cooperation rather than conflict?

The evening’s speakers offered some proposals and look forward to exchanging ideas with the audience.