Discourse on energy security in national contexts was the theme of the first Trialogue Conference from the 17th to the 19th November in Warsaw. Polish, German and Russian representatives from academia, business, the media and politics discussed the discourse around energy concerns in their respective countries. The goal is to establish a permanent Trialogue with a set group of participants, in order to foster a better understanding between the three nations and to develop new means of cooperation. The event was financially supported by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation as well as the Robert Bosch Stiftung. It was jointly hosted by the DGAP, the Polish Institute for International Relations (PISM) and the Moscow Institute of World Economy and International Relations.
In the first panel, Severin Fischer from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) made it abundantly clear that it was above all societal consensus in Germany which led to the political decision to close the country’s nuclear power plants by 2022. At the same time it remains to be seen how the dramatic changes in German energy policy, the Energiewende, can be funded. In the second panel Robert Zajdler from the Sobieski-Institute in Warsaw emphasised that the Polish desire to diversify their energy sources is being driven by concerns about dependence on Russian supplies. Given the central role of coal in the Polish energy sector, social concerns about the affordability of electricity are decisive. Maria Belova from the Moscow School of Management Skolkov underlined that a public debate about the future of energy does not really exist in Russia, but rather top-down decisions dictate energy policy. Interest groups from business and politics dominate the decisions about the country’s future energy policy, which obstructs any changes on environmental policy (or lack thereof).
The final debate stressed that the different contexts in the three countries lead to completely different and detached debates around energy policy. At the same time, Germany, Russia and Poland are in a process of transition with regards to their energy policies and are therefore seeking long-term solutions to current problems. What is required therefore is an international exchange of experience and expertise as well as a more intensive discussion with the EU’s energy policies and their implications for the three countries. The next Trialogue is already planned for 2014 in Moscow.
