WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing:

ENERGY (IN)SECURITY IN RUSSIA’S PERIPHERY

July 13, 2017
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G11

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has used its neighbors’ dependence on its energy supplies as a source of geopolitical leverage and sought to keep their energy sectors underdeveloped and corrupt. Ukraine has recently managed to implement crucial reforms in its energy sector, but challenges remain. Meanwhile, initiatives for similar reforms in Moldova have stalled, while Georgia has successfully reformed its energy sector and developed new infrastructure. Why are these outcomes so different and what more can be done to achieve energy security in post-Soviet Eastern Europe?

This briefing will provide a general overview of energy security in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, and examine challenges and opportunities in the energy sectors of these states. Briefers will discuss the role that corruption plays in preventing the implementation of effective reforms as well as strategies to curb Russian influence.

The following experts are scheduled to participate:

• Peter Doran, Executive Vice President and Interim Director, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
• Edward Chow, Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
• Andrian Prokip, Senior Associate, Kennan Institute; Energy Expert, Institute for Social and Economic Research
• Lyndon Allin, Associate, Baker McKenzie
• Mamuka Tsereteli, Senior Fellow, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute