Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja emphasized on Friday in Iasi that Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have common objectives in terms of energy supply, which must be secure, renewable and affordable in order to support the economic development and competitiveness of the three countries.

While in Iasi to take part in the Trilateral Economic Forum for Business and Reconstruction in Ukraine dubbed „IASI – Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Strategic Regional Hub”, Minister Sebastian Burduja told the press that „energy must be secure, affordable and, thirdly, green”.

„In this order of priorities, Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have common objectives,” the Romanian Energy Minister told the press.

Sebastian Burduja explained that first and foremost we should no longer depend on others for energy security.

„That is why it is very important to exploit the gas from the Neptun-Deep perimeter, to reduce the entire region’s dependence on the Russian Federation, to be always at the disposal of our brothers across the Prut,” the minister emphasized.

Secondly, the minister maintains, it is important to have the cheapest possible energy.

„As I have said before, and the Draghi report also mentions very clearly: where there is no energy, there is no development. You cannot compete with China, the US, other parts of the world if you don’t have competitive energy. For that we need to invest in production, which is what Romania is doing. Had it not been for the fourth flag on the stage, that of the EU, in addition to the other three, we would not have had access to EUR 13 billion in the last year and three months, which translates into thousands of megawatts in the energy system. More production means a lower price,” said Energy minister Sebastian Burduja.

He went on to say that, thirdly, the energy transition must be supported „in a pragmatic and fair way”.

„So, as much green energy as possible, but in a pragmatic and fair way. In other words, you cannot jeopardize the other two aspects, security and affordability, for the sake of green energy,” Burduja added.

AGERPRES