Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja met in Brussels with Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy, to discuss current and future challenges in the energy sector. On the agenda of the discussions was the delicate situation generated by the Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure in Ukraine, described by Burduja as "the toughest since the beginning of the invasion".
Romania, as a sign of solidarity and cooperation, responded promptly to the request for emergency aid from Ukraine, offering support within the limits of the capacity of the national energy system. This action underlines our country's commitment to its European neighbors and partners in times of crisis.
Along with this urgent topic, the discussions also included the developments of the European energy market, with a special focus on Romania's progress regarding its investment program and the effective access to European funds through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the Modernization Fund . These initiatives are essential for ensuring a sustainable and diversified energy future for Romania.
In the margins of the meeting in Brussels, Minister Burduja also had two other significant meetings with the representatives of two strategic companies in the energy field. The first, with Atkins Realis from Canada, involved in the projects in Cernavodă for the refurbishment of unit 1 and the development of units 3 and 4, essential for ensuring Romania's energy security. The second meeting was with KHNP, the South Korean energy giant, with discussions focused on the Tarnița-Lăpuștești project and potential collaborations for hydrogen production, underlining Romania's interest in innovative and sustainable technologies.
The end of the visit was marked by a meeting with John Podesta, representative of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, who reconfirmed the US's strategic commitment to supporting Romanian energy projects, including those regarding small modular reactors. This meeting underlines the importance of international collaboration in the energy field and recognizes Romania's vital role in ensuring regional and European energy security.
The Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, concluded his visit to Brussels by reiterating Romania's unwavering commitment to collaborate with its European and international partners to navigate current and future challenges in the energy sector: "We continue to represent Romania. Forward, together".
