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| The meeting while being discussed on the independence from Russian gas |
Albania organized today a joint roundtable with several major companies in the energy market from the US and the EU.
The meeting "Beyond the Borders" discussed the sustainable energy market, low carbon economy, as well as independence from Russian gas.
Participants in the energy market meeting, diplomats, senior officials, and businessmen, argued that increasing Europe's energy security is linked to each country's climate and national security, as is being proven during Russia's war against Ukraine.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Diplomacy and Office of Energy Resources Laura Lohman said in a speech from Washington that "Europe's energy security, in line with US climate objectives, is a US priority." "Even before Russia started the war against Ukraine."
She said US policies have focused on increasing the diversity of energy sources from roads, suppliers, and types of fuels; nuclear, renewable energy, and liquefied petroleum gas.
U.S. initiatives have fueled energy innovation and its distribution, Ms. Lohman says, because the U.S. aims to decarbonize industries and reduce its impact on nature, so EU independence from Russian gas is crucial.
"Putin's war on Ukraine and the news of horrific crimes underscore the need for Europe to increase its independence from Russian gas. This war increases the urgency of achieving energy independence and advancing the transition to clean energy so that Russia will not be able to use fossil fuels for political influence," Lochman said.
The US diplomat stressed that independence from Russian gas could not happen overnight and is a challenge in itself, because it will take years for Europe to free itself from the dependence on 150 million cubic meters of annual Russian gas.
She added that US sanctions along with those of US allies and partners will affect the Russian president and the Russian economy by reducing the damage to the US and its allies.
Ms. Lohman said the potential impact of North Stream 2 must be mitigated before it closes, as US and European companies are investing in liquefied natural gas and interconnection, moving towards clean energy, with water, sun, and wind, as well as far away the fossil fuels.
Climate protection is a matter of U.S. national and economic security, and the 2020s are the time to accelerate the transition to clean energy, along with independence from Russian gas, Ms. Lochman says.
"We acknowledge and know that this transition to clean energy is a time-consuming process that needs to be accelerated. "Diversification is needed in different types of energy, and during the transition to renewable energy away from fossil fuels, and that requires all our cooperation," said Ms. Lochman.
While Prime Minister Edi Rama invited the participating countries and companies to cooperate without wasting time implementing projects in the energy field and this creates a new architecture for the Albanian energy sector.
He mentioned his visit to Azerbaijan a few days ago, where President Aliyev expressed interest in the Ionian gas transmission project.
"I saw with pleasure in his words the high interest to be involved in the new Adriatic-Ionian pipeline, which may be another major game-changer in our region, but at the same time can be an energetic force for Europe."- said Mr. Rama.
He that this project can help Europe to gain independence from Russian gas as soon as possible.
Vlora TPP is being transformed into a gas power plant, while TAP, TransAdriatic Pipeline pipelines pass through the Albanian territory.