Maia Bitadze, Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, and Shota Berekashvili, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee, being the representatives of the Energy Community presiding country, attended the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum in Vienna.

Representatives of the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community also participated in the parliamentary plenum. During the meeting, participants emphasized the strategic importance of integrating gas and electricity markets as a key prerequisite for the region’s sustainable energy development.

Maia Bitadze spoke about the significant steps Georgia has taken in recent years within the framework of the EU Energy Community.

“We have developed the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and initiated the development of the MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) system. Parliament will adopt, in the I reading this year, the legislative amendments necessary for the implementation of this system. In addition, we are finalizing the draft Law on Climate Change, which will introduce an emissions trading system and outline our strategic direction toward climate neutrality. At the same time, we continue to cooperate closely with our neighbors and strategic partners to build a reliable and modern energy system in the region. In this regard, the Black Sea Submarine Cable Project is of utmost importance, as it will enhance the energy security of Europe and the South Caucasus and expand transit opportunities through the Middle Corridor. It should be underscored that the Black Sea Submarine Cable Project has already been recognized by the European Union as a Project of Mutual Interest (PMI) within Georgia’s presidency of the Energy Community,” - stated Maia Bitadze.

Within the framework of the plenum, the Director of the Secretariat of the Energy Community, Artur Lorkowski, also highlighted the importance of integrating energy markets, noting that it is the most effective way to ensure security of electricity supply, promote investments, and achieve climate objectives. The significance of the development and effective implementation of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) was underescored