Central, Eastern European Energy Industry Associations Sign Energy Security Declaration in Sofia

Representatives of six energy industry associations from Central and Eastern Europe signed a Sofia Declaration on Energy Security and Competitiveness in Central and Eastern Europe at an international conference in Sofia on October 8.

The declaration was signed during the conference Energy Alliance in Central and Eastern Europe - Together for a Competitive and Secure Energy Future, held at the Grand Hotel Sofia.

Signatories included representatives of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association, the Polish Organization of Oil Industry and Trade, the Slovak Association of Fuel Industry and Trade, the Czech Association of Petroleum Industry and Trade, the Greek Association of Petroleum Product Marketing Companies and the Romanian Federation of Energy Employers.

The declaration calls for socially balanced and economically realistic implementation of the EU's second Emissions Trading System (ETS2), which covers emissions from road transport and buildings.

The signatories also call for a reassessment of the feasibility of transport targets under the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), taking into account structural limitations on the electrification of transport by 2030.

They further advocate full recognition of biofuels and recycled carbon fuels as important means of reducing emissions from the existing vehicle fleet.

The declaration also calls for a review of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation to align mandatory targets with realistic fuel availability and production capacity.

In addition, the signatories urge a realistic, proportionate and security-oriented implementation of the EU Methane Regulation.