ANALYSIS
source of clean energy. This is one small example of
the type of innovative project that is necessary to
demonstrate what solutions will work for Macedonia and the other countries of the region.
EM: What are the U.S. policy priorities related to
energy in Macedonia and the region overall?
U.S. energy policy is very much tied to our overall
foreign policy goals. We want Macedonia and the
other countries of the region to continue to become
stronger economic partners with each other and
with the United States. Cross-border trade ties countries together and helps to diffuse political tensions.
Economic growth brings jobs and prosperity, raising the quality of life for all. The economic growth
that all countries need requires investment, whether
domestic or foreign, and all countries
need to create the conditions that
will attract investment. A predictable regulatory environment is,
of course, essential, but so, too
is a predictable supply of necessary inputs, including energy.
U.S. businesses produce some of the best
equipment and technology used in the energy industry, so there are
opportunities for U.S. companies here as well in new
power plants, pipeline construction, smart-grid development and
more.
EM: What do you see as the unique energy-related
advantages and/or challenges in this region vs.
others you’ve worked in?
The energy picture in Southeast Europe is brighter
than for some of the regions in which I have worked,
though much still needs to be done to capitalize on
existing opportunities and to plan for the future.
Some of the countries have proven and potential reserves of oil, natural gas and coal. Others have extensive hydroelectric capacity.
The region is also poised to benefit from some external opportunities such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline
Emerging Macedonia Fall 2013 Issue 39
that will bring gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe
and provide an alternative source of supply. Croatia
has announced plans to build a Liquified Natural Gas
terminal to further diversify sources and routes. But
to capitalize on the potential of these developments
requires cooperation among the countries of the region – to plan and build the infrastructure and ensure the markets.
Energy sustainability is one of the greatest policy
challenges and opportunities. One of my duties is to
help organize the Brown Forum each year, together
with the Croatian government, the Croatian Chamber of Economy and Croatian Employers Association. The Forum has explored a different trade-related topic each year since 2011 to honor the memory and the mission of former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, who died in a
plane crash in Croatia as he led a
U.S. trade mission to the region
in 1996. For 2014, the topic will
be energy security and will
bring together policy-makers and business leaders
to discuss policy challenges. The event will
also provide a platform for businesses to present practical solutions to energy
challenges. The Brown
Forum will take place in
April 2014, and invitations
to participate will be extended
after the first of the year.
I don’t want to close without mentioning the other regional program that brought me
to Macedonia: Invest for the Future (IFTF) networking platform for women entrepreneurs. I attended
the IFTF#Talent confere