IENE celebrated today, May 8, 2014 at the "Aegli” restaurant in Zappeion, in central Athens, its ten-year anniversary by organizing a high-profile festive Business Luncheon, attended by a large number of businessmen, professionals, academics, policy-makers as well as senior government officials involved in the Greek and regional energy sector. This special IENE event coincided with the current Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2014IENE celebrated today, May 8, 2014 at the "Aegli” restaurant in Zappeion, in central Athens, its ten-year anniversary by organizing a high-profile festive Business Luncheon, attended by a large number of businessmen, professionals, academics, policy-makers as well as senior government officials involved in the Greek and regional energy sector. This special IENE event coincided with the current Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2014.
In his speech, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Makis Papageorgiou, stressed the challenges and opportunities for Greece, as its position in the energy map of the region has been upgraded, especially since the recent discoveries of hydrocarbons in the East Mediterranean, the decision to build TAP, which goes through Greece, and also the crucial geopolitical upheavals that have been taking place lately.
The Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Ioannis Maniatis, in his video message, stressed IENE’s importance as an independent think tank, constantly aiming at broadening the energy agenda in Greece and SE Europe through the formation of elaborate proposals and soft actions on energy strategy at national, regional and European level.Mr. Slav Slavov, Regional Co-ordinator of the World Energy Council (WEC), was also present in this IENE event, as he addressed this unique business gathering, highlighting the Institute’s role in promoting dialogue and co-operation in the energy sector in SE Europe. Mr. Slavov especially stressed the importance of the annual "South East Europe Energy Dialogue” (SEEED), that IENE has been organizing in association with WEC, since 2007, in the city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, and stated that it provides a truly regional forum for discussion, analysis and networking.
This Business Luncheon on the occasion of IENE’s 10th Anniversary opened with a welcome message and introductory remarks by the Institute’s Deputy Chairman and Executive Director, Mr. Costis Stambolis. Mr. Stambolis focused on the constant effort of IENE for scientific work of continuously improving quality for its members.
The participants of the Business Luncheon had the opportunity to watch a short video documentary on ΙΕΝΕ’s activities in SE Europe specially prepared for this occasion. The video documentary focused on the Institute’s established regional conference, the South East Europe Energy Dialogue (SEEED), which is being convened for the last eight years in Thessaloniki, as well on IENE’s major reference study, the "South East Europe Energy Outlook”, the first detailed and in-depth study covering all aspects of the energy sector in SE Europe.
As shown in the video documentary, IENE has gradually emerged as a regional umbrella organization which facilitates the networking of scientists, experts, academics, professionals, government officials and representatives of international organizations involved in the energy field in SE Europe and beyond, serving as a platform of dialogue and the free exchange of information.
In his keynote speech IENE’s Chairman, Mr. John Chadjivassiliadis described the opportunities and challenges that the energy sector is currently facing, in combination with the trends in both SE Europe and the EU, stressing the enlarged role that IENE could play. The Chairman of the Institute outlined IENE’s future goals and prospects after its first fruitful decade of activity. The former Chairman (2009-2013) of ΙΕΝΕ, Dr. Ioannis Desypris, as well as the Chairman of IENE’s Scientific Committee, Prof. Pantelis Capros (Director of E3MLab, NTUA, Athens) addressed this celebratory Business Luncheon, referring to the Institute’s various activities as well as to Greece’s prospects stemming from the recent reforms in its energy sector.
The Business Luncheon on IENE’s 10th Anniversary ended with concluding remarks by Dr. Ioannis Mazis, Professor of Economic Geography (Dept of Turkish and Modern Asian Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), who commented on IENE’s role and activities from a geopolitical perspective in the light of latest political and economic developments in the broader region.
The business luncheon was sponsored by the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) of Greece, Terna Energy S.A. and the Energean Oil & Gas company. The event’s supporters included EDF Energies Nouvelles, the Hellenic Exchanges Group, Enel Green Power, Hellenic Petroleum S.A., Greece’s Gas Transmission Operator (DESFA) and the well known law firm of Kyriakides Georgopoulos. Energia.gr and SEE News were the media partners to this event.
