The Baltic States - An Energy Island or Energy Peninsula in the European Union?

On Oct. 17, the Latvian Institute of International Affairs organises a discussion: “The Baltic States – an Energy Island or Energy Peninsula in the European Union?"

Since the reestablishment of their independence, the Baltic States have been seen as an Energy Island in the EU. Many developments in connecting the three states to their EU neighbours have taken place. How can the current progress in connecting the energy grids be assessed? Do the connections with Finland, Sweden, and Poland provide the minimum necessary and what should be the further development perspectives? How could the future natural gas markets and infrastructure evolve given the already existing LNG terminal and issues with the market liberalisation?

The Latvian Institute is International Affairs in co-operation with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung fund and together with experts organises a public discussion that will take place on Oct. 17, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at  Hotel Bergs (Elizabetes 83/85, Glass Hall, 6th floor).

Speakers at the event include Andris Spruds, Director of Latvian Institute of International Affairs and Elisabeth Bauer, Director of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Baltic/Nordic States.
Panellists: Anke Schmidt-Felzmann - researcher at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs; Anna Bulakh - research fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security, Estonia; Greta Monika Tuckute - Director of the Centre for Geopolitical Studies, Lithuania; and Reinis Aboltins, Independent energy expert, Latvia. The discussion will be moderated by Andris Spruds, the director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.

Energy dependency cannot be viewed in isolation from inter-state relations as it makes energy-dependent countries vulnerable to political pressures. Are the Baltic States still an Energy Island or already an Energy Peninsula of the EU and how vulnerable are they from Russia in this respect?

Join us and please register here: https://goo.gl/49hxFo
Mass media are welcome! For additional info and interviews, please contact:
Ms Sintija Broka:
[email protected]
Cell: 29231376