On Monday, Commissioner Jørgensen co-hosted the CESEC Ministerial with the Romanian Energy Minister, Ivan Bogdan-Gruia, where discussions will focus on delivering REPowerEU objectives as the EU advances its negotiations to gradually phase out fossil fuel imports from Russia. Discussions will also touch upon how to make energy prices more affordable via stronger interconnectivity, market integration and diversification. The discussion will build on the set of actions to lower energy prices outlined by the Commission earlier this week, including an upcoming gas demand aggregation exercise for interested parties in the region. At around 10:45 CEST, the Commissioner will hold a joint press point with the Romanian Energy Minister that you can follow live on EBS.

Commissioner Jørgensen will meet with the Romanian Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, and hold a series of bilateral meetings with Ivan Bogdan-Gruia, Romanian Energy Minister; George Niculescu, President of the National Regulator Authority; and Ion Sterian, General Director of the national gas transmission system operator (TSO) Transgaz. In the afternoon, he will visit the National Energy Dispatch Centre, managed by Transelectrica power TSO.

On Tuesday, in Bulgaria, Commissioner Jørgensen and Ministers of the respective European countries involved in the Vertical Gas Corridor will visit the facilities under construction. They will address the press on the importance to enhancing energy security and diversifying gas supplies in Central and Southeastern Europe, which plays a key role in phasing out Russian gas imports.

Audiovisual coverage of the Commissioner's CESEC participation and visits will be available on EBS.