Energy Community and EU parliamentarians unite in joint energy security agenda 

In focus at the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum in Brussels was the mutual need to integrate energy markets to protect against price and security of supply shocks

As Europe steps up efforts to prepare for a potential global energy crisis, parliamentarians from across the Energy Community—representing nine EU-aspirant Contracting Parties in South East and Eastern Europe—gathered in Brussels with Members of the European Parliament. At the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum, they were addressed by EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen and Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski, both of whom called for stronger political backing of key reforms to integrate gas and electricity markets.

The Plenum was hosted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). It was chaired by ITRE Committee Chair Borys Budka and co-chaired by Ms. Rozeta Hajdari, Chairperson of the Economy, Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation Committee of the Parliament of Kosovo,* which currently holds the presidency of the Energy Community.

“The current crisis is a wake-up call. What was once a strategic necessity—the integration of our Energy Community—has now become an urgent imperative. We must stand united, sustain pressure on Russia, and accelerate our transition to clean energy and electrification," EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen  affirmed. "Dependence on volatile regions and outdated energy systems is a risk we can no longer afford. The Energy Community was founded on a simple truth: that cooperation in energy is the bedrock of peace, prosperity, and security. Today, that truth has never been more relevant.” 
 

"Now is the time to cross political and geographic divides and commit to creating a European energy system capable of withstanding geopolitical uncertainty," Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski added. "That is to form a united energy front through EU-Energy Community energy market integration, even ahead of Energy Community Contracting Parties' accession to the EU."  

As concerns increase over future hikes in gas prices, the mutual application of gas network codes can position the Energy Community as an active and valuable partner within Europe’s gas neighbourhood. Ensuring that all parties operate under the same rulebook would set the stage for deeper integration—reinforcing the Energy Community region's role as a key transit and storage hub. Under the EU’s Fourth Gas Package, Member States are expected, from August 2026, to apply EU gas Network Codes at all borders, including those with Energy Community Contracting Parties. Energy Community Contracting Parties are working toward their mutual application. 

In parallel, advancing EU-Energy Community electricity market integration would support the creation of larger, more competitive electricity markets, better equipped to absorb price volatility while sustaining investment in the energy transition. This is increasingly important as ls renewable energy becomes increasingly important for the creation of markets not dependent on foreign sources, Lorkowski underscored. By adopting EU-aligned electricity legislation in the Electricity Integration Package, Energy Community Contracting Parties can begin the process of market coupling with the EU’s Single Intraday Coupling (SIDC) and Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC), subject to compliance verification by both the Energy Community and the EU. This would make full EU–Energy Community electricity market integration achievable ahead of accession. While Serbia, Moldova, and Montenegro have already transposed the legislation, other Energy Community Contracting Parties must follow suit. 

"As Presidency, we want this process to remain inclusive, credible, and implementation-focused. We support faster electricity market integration. We support legal and regulatory alignment," said Hajdari.  "We support regional cooperation that is practical and fair. But above all, we believe the next step for the Energy Community must be to close the gap between what we agree on politically and what is actually functioning in reality."

EU parliaments also have a role to play in advancing electricity market integration, particularly by supporting the European Commission’s proposal to amend the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The proposal aims to better recognise renewable electricity imports from Energy Community Contracting Parties, helping avoid disincentives for clean energy trade, and align carbon pricing with market integration imperatives. Currently, renewable electricity exports are treated in the same way as fossil-based electricity under CBAM—an approach that economically discourages imports of green electricity from the Energy Community region. 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.