European and Local Experts from the energy sector, representatives of governmental, nonprofit and international organizations, as well as research-development and educational institutions gathered together for the third international conference ENERGA, which is part of the ENERGA 2013 fair in Tuzla.
The conference, which opened yesterday, is a unique event of its kind in the region of Southeast Europe. For three days, participants will present their research, results, experience and achievements in the energy sector.
With the presence of numerous officials, the first thematic unit of the conference ‘’Energy policies’’ was opened by the President of the Program Board of the conference ‘’Energa 2013’’ by prof. dr. Mirza Kušljugić.
‘’The energy sector in BiH will not remain outside the influence of the transformation process in the EU. Particularly, the upcoming investment cycle in production capacity will be under the influence of the current energy policy in the EU, whose goals 2020, 2030 and 2050 are set’’, said Kušljugić.
He said how the mission of the conference of ENERGA is based on initiating structured dialogue on the opportunities and challenges that energy transformation poses in BiH.
The start of the conference was welcomed by Sead Čaušević, the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton.
On the first day of the conference, particular attention was attracted by the presence of Renzo Daviddi, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Sarajevo, MIroslav Kukobat, Regional Council for Cooperation of BiH and Janes Kopač, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat with headquarters in Vienna.
“A review of the energy policy in BiH with specific recommendations by the EU’’, was one of the themes of which Renzo Daviddi spoke, and said that from the perspective of the EU, the energy sector presents the basis strengthening cooperation of neighboring countries. However, it must be in accordance with the obligations that BiH and countries in the region took as members of the European community.
“Countries in the region are obligated to progressively build legislation that reflects the principles of market economy, promote development, support competition and ensure a secure supply of final buyers and users of energy. Reforms have to be implemented and have to support the progress of the energy sector, economic growth and environmental protection’’, said Daviddi.
He said how legislative and institutional arrangements in BiH have to allow market liberalization, where it could achieve significant income through trade with neighboring countries and the EU in the future.
Through the IPA program, the EU invests 10 million euros in strengthening institutional capacity of the energy sector, and currently through one project, as he explained, funds the development of the legislative framework for electricity in accordance with EU practice.
Daviddi said that BiH is expected to comply with international commitments, particularly those tied to energy transmission.
Miroslav Kukobat from the Regional Council for Cooperation BiH spoke of RCC activities in the area of energy and on the integration of the energy sector in the Strategy for Southeast Europe 2020.
He said that the RCC is coordinating preparations, and the coordinator will implement the Strategy for Southeast Europe 2020, which presents a strategy of growth based on creating new jobs and European integration and regional response on EU strategies, but customized for the priority needs in the region.
At the end of the first day of the conference, with moderators prof. dr. Mirza Kušljugić, prof. dr. Nenad Debrecin and prof.dr. Mustafa Musić, eight more topics were discussed in the area of ‘’Energy policies’’.
Janez Kopač presented the plans of the work of the energy community, and recalled the commitments and future obligations of BIH, and especially expressed his displeasure of the progress in BIH legislation that regulates the energy sector. He said that BiH needs to immediately comply with international standards. Otherwise, it would face lawsuits and unnecessary procedures that would slow down its progress.
The international conference “Energa 2013” will last until 6 June.
(Source: Fena)
