US Commits to Energy Cooperation with Poland
The United States committed to helping Poland to develop its shale gas industry, President Barack Obama said on Tuesday during a joint press conference with Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski.
‘The United States supports Poland’s efforts to increase its energy security by diversifying its energy supply and strengthening its energy infrastructure,’ reads a note released by the White House on Tuesday.
The United States also offered military support to ‘enhance the security of the entire Alliance and particularly that of Central and Eastern European allies,’ but energy cooperation is clearly the most interesting form of cooperation for the Eastern country, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a NATO member.
‘We are committed to sharing best practices on shale gas development and facilitating consultations between our civilian nuclear regulatory authorities, and U.S. companies are engaged in Poland’s efforts to develop its shale gas and renewable energy sectors, as well as its nuclear power sector.’
Two weeks ago, Polish authorities met American representatives to start a series of training session for shale gas exploration and production. The cooperation between the two countries also encompasses agreements between companies.
Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo (PGNiG) and US-based Chevron Polska Energy Resources signed a collaboration agreement for shale gas exploration in South-Eastern Poland in March, surfing the wave of revived optimism about unconventional gas in the country.
EASTERN EUROPE: ROMANIA AND MOLDOVA
‘The United States is working with countries in the region and the entire European Union to help strengthen energy security,’ reads another press release.
Obama referred to Romania and Moldova, also underlining the importance of interconnections.
‘Under the auspices of the U.S.-EU Energy Council, we have begun critical discussions on the infrastructure, legal, and financial requirements necessary to increase regional gas interconnections. The United States is working with Romania and Moldova to support the extension of an energy pipeline network into Moldova and is engaged with the EU Commission and the Baltic states to advance the construction of projects to connect the Baltic countries to the EU energy market.’