Central European Visions 2020

Since its establishment in 2016, TSI has been looked upon as a fresh tool that could even further enhance regional cooperation in Central Europe by strengthening north-south connectivity in the region. While some countries in Central Europe are more at the forefront of the project, most notably Poland and Croatia, others maintain a more reserved approach, while looking into how the initiative would serve Central European interests in the framework of the Euro-Atlantic cooperation and alliance. The significant American political support for the initiative adds a further notable aspect to TSI by providing additional layers for possible cooperation that can further strengthen the transatlantic bond. The conference aims to offer an insight into the transatlantic and regional feature of TSI by focusing on its crucial pillar—energy connectivity. The significant improvement of energy connectivity has been at the forefront of TSI’s agenda since its initial establishment. Together with the continuous development of the North-South transportation and infrastructural network, the enhanced diversification of energy sources, especially in the field of LNG imports, are of key importance. TSI would complement current Central European efforts aiming to boost resilience and capacity building in the region from a security and economic perspective—a goal featuring high on the EU’s agenda.

Welcoming Words
▸ Zsolt CSEPREGI, Deputy Director for International Affairs, Antall József Knowledge Centre

Panel Discussion on North-South Energy Infrastructure Projects
▸ Ian BRZEZINSKI, Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council
▸ Tamás VÖRÖS, Head, Energy and Climate Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary
▸ Szymon KARDAS, OSW – Center for Eastern Studies, Poland
▸ Moderator: Péter STEPPER, Senior Research Fellow, AJKC