4th Steering Group Meeting of the Priority Area 2 1st Annual Stakeholder Seminar of Priority Area 2

In order to develop the huge economic potential of the macro region, the European Commission proposed an overarching Strategy for the Danube Region. For its implementation, Hungary and the Czech Republic are making progress as co-coordinators of its Sustainable Energy Priority Area (Priority Area 2).
In light of the ongoing legislative debate on the energy infrastructure priorities of the European Union and guidelines for their identification, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region offers a platform to coordinate and prioritize the needs of its Member States regarding energy infrastructures and markets. As part of this process the 1st Annual Stakeholder Seminar and the 4th Steering Group Meeting of the Priority Area 2 took place in Budapest on 30-31 May, 2012. The aim was to introduce the Danube Region Gas Market Model developed by the Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research (REKK), to generate policy debate about the necessary steps towards gas market integration and to introduce some specific infrastructure and market coupling projects.

One of the main goals of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for the European Commission, regulators, professional associations and stakeholders for a policy discussion to exchange experiences and to discuss common challenges in front of the integration of the energy market of the Danube Region. In addition, the conference offered up-to date information about some of the most crucial planned or ongoing infrastructural projects.