23 April 2015, 12:00-14:00h
Venue: Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung for Freedom, Avenue de Cortenbergh 71, Brussels, Belgium

Although European integration in the early 1950s started around energy issues, this topic has ever since been hampered by narrow national interests and a lack of coordination. Central and Eastern Europe serves as point in case – it is a region heavily energy-dependent on Russia, yet we can observe very diverging positions of these countries.Even before the current international crisis, the energy sector had become highly unpredictable, stalling inflow of critical investments into infrastructure. The EU tried to be a front-runner in fighting global warming and setting very ambitious goals for CO2 reduction, but might have to review these goals.

Does the new situation call for a reassessment of renewable energy, our position on shale gas and nuclear power plants? Will it mark a change of attitude in Europe – are member states willing to step beyond their national interests? This public event also introduced the latest issue of the 4Liberty.eu Review devoted to energy issues.

WELCOME
Hans H. Stein, Director, European and Transatlantic Dialogue, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

SPEAKERS
Fredrick Federley, MEP, Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Bernd Biervert,  Deputy Head of Cabinet Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union

Žilvinas Šilėnas, Director, Lithuanian Free Market Institute, Lithuania

MODERATION
Tanja Porčnik, President, Visio Institute, Slovenia