Georgia has assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the Energy Community for 2025, a decision made during a reception in Austria attended by the Georgian delegation and representatives from the member countries.

“Georgia takes up the chairmanship of the Energy Community. This is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to foster regional cooperation, enhance energy security, and promote the transition to green energy,” stated Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Having joined the Energy Community in 2017, this marks Georgia’s first time in the role of chair.

The Energy Community is an international organization dedicated to ensuring cooperation between the EU and its member states in energy security, sustainability, and environmental protection.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the Community comprises nine signatories to the agreement: Georgia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine.

“The EU is a signatory to the Energy Community and serves as the organization’s permanent vice-president. Georgia’s membership and chairmanship reaffirm our commitment to deepening cooperation with the EU, particularly in energy policy and security,” the Ministry stated.

Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community, noted that under the leadership of the Ministry of Economy, Georgia has made significant progress over the past three years.

“Today, in Vienna, we celebrate Georgia’s assumption of the chairmanship, and I would like to emphasize that Georgia has thoroughly prepared for this day. Over the last three years, Georgia has made strides in fulfilling the commitments made upon joining the Community, leading with the legislative framework’s establishment required by the Energy Community. The presidency entails additional duties and responsibilities in guiding the processes within the member countries.

We believe that Georgia has the potential to be a leader and a principled player, which will lead us to success in 2025. Much work remains to be done regarding the integration of the Energy Community countries with EU markets, and we desperately need Georgia’s leadership and commitment, especially now, as the Energy Community confronts challenges stemming from Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent negative repercussions on Ukrainian and Moldovan markets,” he emphasized.