European Commission President: Black Sea submarine cable “window of opportunity” to turn Georgia into electricity hub
She emphasised the EU was able to reduce the use of Russian resources, stressing it was not a new geopolitical energy security path but it was a basis for future initiatives to obtain clean, affordable energy resources. Photo: Reuters
Tweet 
Share
The Black Sea strategic submarine electricity cable between Georgia and the European Union will be a “window of new opportunities”, which will turn the country into an electricity hub and improve the internal energy market, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday at the signing ceremony of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary.
Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had an opportunity to financially support projects serving “common interests” and it was “ready” to support this project as part of it, adding the Agreement would bring the EU closer to its partners in the South Caucasus region.
The President von der Leyen noted the Black Sea electric cable has been a new transmission route "full of opportunities" and could integrate Georgia to the EU electricity market, as well as bring electricity to the Western Balkans, Moldova and of course Ukraine.
The Black Sea electric cable is a new transmission route full of opportunities.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 17, 2022
It could integrate Georgia to our electricity market and bring electricity to our neighbours in the Western Balkans, Moldova and of course Ukraine.
Let’s work together to make it real. pic.twitter.com/rDRYDIHYJL
She emphasised the EU was able to reduce the use of Russian resources, stressing it was not a new geopolitical energy security path but it was a basis for future initiatives to obtain clean, affordable energy resources.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Saturday called the signing of a deal on strategic green energy development partnership between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary a “truly historic” occasion, noting it was a “great opportunity” for Georgia, the [Black Sea] region and the European Union to ensure the energy independence of these countries and make a “significant” contribution to the economic development of the region.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Saturday said the country was becoming “one of the crucial” states in production of green and renewable energy.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his Romanian counterpart Nicolae Ciucă on Saturday highlighted the importance of signing the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary, amid the current challenges of European energy security.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Saturday said the country, along with its partners, has committed to a “globally unique project” and would build the world’s longest submarine power cable, at the signing ceremony of an Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary.
Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy, on Saturday welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania must work efficiently in order to achieve our goals and should work as one team, in close cooperation and coordination with the European Union, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Saturday at the signing ceremony of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary in Bucharest.
Dear Colleagues, Dear Friends,I am pleased to address the distinguished audience at today’s important gathering. At the outset, I would like to thank the Romanian side for hosting and organising this event, which has a historical importance. I also thank Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission for supporting the project.
Georgia's strategic geographic location makes a "natural bridge" connecting the West and the East and is a gateway to eight landlocked countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, which is a crucial link on the European Union's Global Connectivity map and a game changer, when it comes to diversification of transport routes and energy supply, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Saturday.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday said he expected that maritime transport would be expanded with Georgia at the signing ceremony of the Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the governments of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday left for a working visit to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, with the signing of an agreement on “strategic partnership” with the governments of Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary for the development and transmission of green energy on the agenda of the Government head.
Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy, on Sunday announced the bloc would allocate €17 billion for the economic and investment plan of its Eastern Partnership initiative, including €2.3 billion in estimated total investments for the Black Sea Strategic Submarine Electricity Cable.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday said strengthening the interconnections and energy transit capabilities of the region was of strategic importance for the Government, at the plenary session on Strategic Partnership Agreement for Green Energy Development and Transmission.
The high officials of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary on Saturday signed an Agreement on the Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable project in Bucharest, to export green energy to Europe via Georgia.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday highlighted his Government had been the “initiator and author” of the Black Sea submarine electricity cable project, signed by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary on Saturday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said the recently signed Black Sea submarine cable international project, a move initiated by his Government, would ensure “direct connection” between Georgian and European energy systems, in comments summing up the Government’s work throughout the year.
Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze on Tuesday highlighted energy security as a "necessary prerequisite" for ensuring growth and development, in remarks at the Energy Policy Forum organised by the United States Agency for International Development.
The current agenda of bilateral relations between Georgia and Romania was discussed on Saturday by the countries’ foreign ministers Ilia Darchiashvili and Bogdan Aurescu.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said the Black Sea submarine cable international project gave a “new European purpose” to Georgia, while also “significantly” increasing the country’s role in ensuring Europe’s energy security.
Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze on Thursday said Georgia’s role as a hub for green energy development was evident in the region in view of its “strategic location”, highlighting the importance of strengthening and developing appropriate infrastructure to ensure the transportation of green energy from the South Caucasus to Europe.