BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.20. Electricity supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe can secure energy independence, CEO at Romania's Smartlink Communications consulting company, analyst, consultant, and think tanker Radu Magdin told Trend.
He said the “Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary” signed in Bucharest on December 17 provides that Romania, like Georgia, can become a transit country to Hungary and other European countries, but also a broader energy security supplier in the region, which comes in line with Romania’s regional profile and positioning.
“While this is a rather ambitious project, it is also a clear signal that Europe is investing in alternative sources. The nearly 1,200-kilometre cable is a viable alternative to increase competitiveness and attractive prices, diminishing the political monopoly of energy resources that dominated until recently. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called the project "crucial" and "ambitious" and I would like to echo this. This project represents an important step in strengthening European energy security and building cooperation in the Black Sea region and beyond,” noted the expert.
Magdin went on to add that Romania is already a significant producer of green energy in the region, but the country continues to work towards ambitious projects in this area, including in terms of nuclear energy.
“Green energy is most definitely an area of opportunity for cooperation with Romania, which is highly interested in such resources not just for domestic consumption, but also for stabilized exports to other countries, such as the Republic of Moldova. Romania is an increasingly important political and economic player in the Black Sea, despite the challenging security environment, which has so far proven sound tactical vision and resilience, two attributes that it has in common with countries such as Azerbaijan.”
Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn