Seminar Spain-Turkey: Energy security in Europe and the Mediterranean
Madrid 18th May, 2007
The Spain – Turkey Seminal, “Energy Security in Europe and the Mediterranean: A Spanish – Turkish contribution” was held in the INCIPE Assembly Hall in Madrid on May 18, 2007. The seminar involved the participation of group of expert diplomats, military officers, businessmen, economists, academics, and Turkish and Spanish energy specialists. A total of 60 people attended the seminar using both English and Spanish as working languages. The seminar was jointly organized by INCIPE, CIDOB of Barcelona, and CES of Ankara with aid of Técnicas Reunidas (TR) and the National Energy Commission (CNE).
A welcome dinner, sponsored by Técnicas Reunidas, was held the night before the seminar at the Madrid Casino, in honour of the Spanish Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Commerce, Mr. Joan Clos, and the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Mehmet Himli Güler, who was represented by Mr. Semi Demirbilek, the Undersecretary of State of Energy and Natural Resources. The dinner was attended by 50 representatives of different sectors of Turkish and Spanish society.
The seminar began with comments from the President of INCIPE and Técnicas Reunidas, José Lladó, who emphasized the essential role that Spain and Turkey play in the creation of a common European interest in matters dealing with energy. After their welcome remarks, The President of the CIDOB Foundation, Narcís Serra, the Director of the Center of European Studies, Ankara, Atila Eralp, the Spanish Ambassador to Turkey, Luis Felipe de la Peña, and the Turkish Ambassador to Spain, Ender Arat all offered their own introductory remarks.
Speakers in the first round table discussion, “Energy in the Current International Geopolitical Context” included Meliha Altunisik, Professor and Chair of the International Relations Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, and Aurelia Mañé, Associate Professor of Economic Policy, Barcelona University. Following their presentation, comments were provided by Enrique Pérez Ramírez, Rear Admiral and Deputy Director for Planning and International Relations, Spanish Ministry of Defence, Gareth Winrow, Professor of International Relations, Bilgi University, Istanbul, and Leopoldo Stampa, Vocal-Advisor, Analysis and Prevision Cabinet, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Juan Sancho, the Deputy President of the Técnicas Reunidas Council and former President of Petronor moderated the debate.
The second round table discussion was dedicated to the theme “Turkish and Spanish Interests in Energy Issues” welcomed presentations by Yusuf Isik, former Parliamentary Adviser of Kemal Dervis and former head of the Strategic Research Department of the State Planning Organization of Turkey and by Javier de Quinto, head of Applied Economy, Saint Paul University –CEU, Madrid and the Deputy Director of the Spanish Electricity Network. Jorge Segrelles, Managing Director of Repsol YPF Foundation, a representative of TÜPRAS, Antonio Suárez, Managing Director of Business Development, Repsol YPF Foundation, and a representative of ALARKO Group of Companies all provided comments after the presentations. Luis Felipe de la Peña, the Spanish Ambassador to Turkey moderated the debate.
The afternoon session began with a third round table discussion in response to the question, “Is a Euro – Mediterranean energy policy necessary?” The panellists included Juan Prat, Ambassador in Special Mission for Mediterranean Affairs, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Ambassador Selim Kuneralp, Deputy Undersecretary, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following comments were provided by: Necdet Pamir, Coordinator for Energy issues at ASAM, Ankara, Paul Isbell, Senior Analyst, International Economy and Trade, Royal Institute Elcano for International and Strategic Studies, Madrid, and Burcin Pamuzsuz of the delegation of the European Commission in Ankara. Ender Arat, the Ambassador of Turkey to Spain moderated the debate.
Alberto Navarro, Secretary of State for the European Union, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affaire and Cooperation provided closing remarks to the seminar. A working breakfast followed the end of the official seminal program with Maria Teresa Costa, the President of the Spanish National Commission of Energy. 50 people attended the breakfast, representing different Turkish and Spanish institutions and organizations.
At the end of the seminar, the Turkish Ambassador to Spain hosted a reception for all participants.
