Energy security in Southeast Europe, the risks posed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the development of regional energy corridors, and the role of the Black Sea in resource diversification will be among the key topics discussed at the high-level regional conference The Economist Romania Government Roundtable, organized by The Economist publishing group in Bucharest, from March 30 to April 1, 2026. Speakers addressing these topics will include current and former high-ranking officials such as: Tánczos Barna, Deputy Prime Minister of Romania; Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport; Frans Timmermans, former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal; Ahmet Davutoğlu, former Prime Minister of Turkey; and Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European Commissioner and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece.
The event, organized in partnership with RCI Holding, brings together government leaders, European officials, experts, and representatives of major energy companies to create a platform for dialogue on how Europe and the region can address new security risks and accelerate investment in energy infrastructure amid rapid geopolitical changes.
Energy among the relevant topics
In light of recent developments in the Middle East and the conflict in Iran, Ahmet Davutoğlu, former Prime Minister of Turkey; Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European Commissioner and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece; Lazăr Comănescu, Secretary General, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and Geoffrey Pyatt, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, will discuss how regional instability may affect the energy security of Southeast Europe and geopolitical negotiations in the region, including in relation to the war in Ukraine.
Stavros Papastavrou, the Greek Minister of Energy, will participate in a discussion on the role of energy corridors linking the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and the Caspian region, in the context of the region’s new energy geopolitics.
Sebastian Burduja, honorary advisor to the prime minister and former minister of energy, and Matthew Bryza, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, will be among the guests discussing the Black Sea’s potential for natural gas exploration and transportation, as well as the impact of geopolitical changes on energy projects in the region.
The energy transition will be discussed both from the perspective of the role of artificial intelligence in modernizing power grids and increasing the resilience of energy systems, and from the perspective of the balance that should be struck between economic development and environmental protection. Speakers will include Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric; George Niculescu, President of ANRE; and Frans Timmermans, former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal.
The role of transport and energy infrastructure in enhancing economic resilience and strengthening regional cooperation, including through the Three Seas Initiative, will be the focus of a panel discussion in which Deputy Prime Minister Tánczos Barna and European Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas have confirmed their participation.
Broad participation
The public can participate by reserving a place at the link: https://the-economist-impact-events.idloom.events/romania-government-roundtable. Places are limited.
The official opening will take place at the Romanian Athenaeum on March 30. Plenary sessions and thematic debates will be held at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel from March 31 to April 1. The conference agenda can be viewed at this link as it is updated.
Numerous business leaders have confirmed their attendance, including: Ömer Tetik, CEO of Banca Transilvania; Alessio Menegazzo, CEO and Country Manager at PPC Romania; Iwona Sikora, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Europe & South Africa, Iron Mountain; Robert Hanea, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Therme Group; Ionuț Stanimir, Chief Brand Officer, Banca Comercială Română (BCR); Dan Stratan, CEO of RCI Holding; Alexandros Exarchou, Chairman & CEO, AKTOR Group of Companies; Cristian Erbasu, chief executive, Construcții Erbașu; president, Federation of Employers of Construction Companies; Volker Raffel, General Manager, E.ON Romania; Mehmet Burak Vardan, Chairman of the Board, CCN Holding; Ondrej Safar, Country Manager, Evryo; Nicholas Richard, CEO, ENGIE Romania and President of CCIFER; Georgiana Miron, Member of the Executive Committee, Groupama; Fady Chreih, CEO, Regina Maria; Corneliu Bodea, CEO, ADREM; Răzvan Iorgu, Managing Director, CBRE; Radu Vasile, CEO, Eximprod Engineering; Manolis Sigalas, President for Europe, Hill International; Mihaela Bîtu, CEO, ING Bank; Marcel Cobuz, CEO, TITAN Group; Bogdan Badea, CEO, SPEEH Hidroelectrica; Cosmin Ghiță, CEO, SN Nuclearelectrica; Răzvan Popescu, CEO, SNGN Romgaz; Alexandru Chiriță, CEO, Electrica.
Economist Impact Events in SE Europe, officially represented by Hazlis & Rivas Group, has been organizing high-level government roundtables and landmark summits throughout the South-East European region since 1996 , bringing together heads of state, opinion leaders, Nobel Prize winners, business leaders, and international institutions for relevant and in-depth debates on a wide range of topics. The Economist Impact Events, through its official representative Hazlis & Rivas, is active on both sides of the Atlantic, organizing international events in New York, London, Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Vienna, as well as regionally, holding summits in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia, under The Economist’s trusted global brand and editorial integrity.
The Economist Romania Government Roundtable 2026 is organized in partnership with RCI Holding, the official partner for Romania and Moldova.
Founded in 2000, RCI Holding is a multinational group headquartered in Bucharest with operations in over 20 countries. The group includes 21 companies active in critical infrastructure, energy markets, consulting, technology, and digital services, managing over €25 billion in CAPEX, delivering over 3,000 projects, and generating an annual turnover of €75 million.
Event organized with the support of:
Founding Sponsor: Banca Transilvania
Platinum Sponsor: Iron Mountain, PPC, Therme Group
Gold Sponsors: BCR Romania, AKTOR Group of Companies, Construcții Erbasu
Silver Sponsors: E.ON Romania, CCN Holding, Distribuție Oltenia parte din Evryo Group, ENGIE Romania, Eversheds Sutherland, Groupama, Regina Maria, UniCredit Bank, KiriarchosNet, ADREM, CBRE Romania, Eximprod Group, Hill International, ING Bank Romania, TITAN
Silver Partners: Hidroelectrica, Nuclearelectrica (SNN), Hagag Energy
Bronze Sponsors: AVAX, Black Sea Oil & Gas, Enexus, Garanti BBVA, Ijdelea & Associates, Red Point Software Solutions, Renovatio Solar
Contributors: Exim Banca Romanească, Romgaz, Electrica
Media Partners: Energynomics; Profit.ro; News.ro; HotNews.ro; Cotidianul.ro; Prima News; RFI Romania
Support organizations: AHK Romania, Camera Franceză de Comerț, Industrie și Agricultură în România (CCIFER), Camera Italiană de Comerț pentru România (CCIpR), FIC
Logistics provider: DHL Express
Telecommunications provider: Nova
Supporters: Lino 3D, Artecniko, Hanikian Law Firm, GLOA Design & Marketing Services
Press contact: Oana Marinescu – [email protected]; +44 741278737