The first EU-Georgia High-Level Energy Dialogue took place in Tbilisi on Thursday, 16 November, between the European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili.
This dialogue took place following the European Commission’s recommendation to grant Georgia the status of candidate country for EU membership (see EUROPE 13288/1) and after months of joint work in the energy sector.
Discussions mainly focused on aligning with European energy legislation, developing energy connectivity and infrastructure, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies.
“I have stressed the importance of making progress [on] the regulatory framework in both the electricity and gas sector[s]. This is not only a matter of convergence on the path to becom[ing] a member of the European Union, but these rules are necessary to make Georgia more energy-secure and to attract more foreign investment to the country”, explained Commissioner Simson at the end of the meeting.
“[These rules] are also a precondition [for] link[ing] the national market with the European electricity market through interconnection project[s]”, she insisted.
She also encouraged [making] future investments in wind and solar energy and signing, during COP28 (see EUROPE 13197/8), the international pledge to prioritise energy efficiency and triple installed renewable energy capacity.
The commissioner then reaffirmed her technical and financial support so that Georgia would be able to successfully carry out its energy reforms.
Ms Simson reiterated that the European Commission had already mobilised investments amounting to €1.8 billion as part of the Economic and Investment Plan in Georgia—with €126 million earmarked for the energy sector, including investment in grid interconnections.
Lastly, she added that a 2023 annual package worth €85 million is expected to be adopted in November. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)