The judiciary has ruled in favour of Romania, rejecting Greenpeace’s request to suspend the works on gas exploitation in the Black Sea, says Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.

„Today, the judiciary has ruled in favor of Romania, rejecting Greenpeace’s request to suspend the works for gas exploitation in the Black Sea. This decision confirms what I have said from the very beginning: we have the right and the duty to exploit our natural resources for the country’s energy security. Greenpeace tried to block, through the courts, the environmental agreement for Neptun Deep, a strategic project that will double Romania’s gas production, create jobs, and bring over 20 billion euros to the budget. Moreover, Greenpeace is liable to pay: 450,000 lei (150,000 lei for each party in the lawsuit). Whoever makes a mistake, pays! Today, Romania won!,” wrote the minister on his Facebook page on Thursday.

According to him, the gas from the Black Sea will ensure a more stable and lower price for Romanians.

„Why is this project vital? The gas from the Black Sea will ensure a more stable and lower price for Romanians. We will become a regional energy supplier. Others will depend on us, not we on others. We ensure a balanced energy transition, without sacrificing the country’s competitiveness and the standard of living for Romanians. Romania is using its own resources and winning against an environmental organisation that has been systematically trying to block the country’s energy projects. Congratulations to Aristotel Jude, Razvan Popescu, all my colleagues at Romgaz, our partners at OMV Petrom, and everyone who fights for Romania! This is the difference between those who only talk about energy independence but ask Europe to return to dependence on Russian gas, and those who actually do things for a strong Romania, capable of deciding its own energy future!,” concluded the Energy minister.

AGERPRES