DESTINATION europe
Head of the European Union
Delegation to Kazakhstan,
about Astana EXPO 2017
Ambassador Traian Laurenţiu Hristea is a Romanian diplomat, who has
been seconded to the European External Action Service. Ambassador
Hristea has a PhD in international relations, OVIDIUS University, Romania.
He fluently speaks English, Russian, French, Mongolian and Italian. He
was awarded the National Order of Romania for 'Faithful Service' in rank
of cavalier and Order for 'Diplomatic Merit' in rank of cavalier.
On the threshold of Astana EXPO 2017, the Head of the European
Delegation of EU in RK speaks on the significance of the project and its
participants for World Monitor.
Traian Laurenţiu Hristea,
Ambassador, Head of the
European Union Delegation
to Kazakhstan
10
world monitor
This year Kazakhstan is hosting Expo-
2017 – a high-profile international
event. What are the plans for the
European countries to participate?
What countries will be represented
there?
We are expecting a very high level of
European engagement in Astana EXPO
2017 events. So far, 17 EU countries
(Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France,
Greece, Luxembourg, Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and
UK) have confirmed participation and
expressed their intention to organize
National Days within the framework of
EXPO 2017. At least two EU countries
have confirmed their participation at
the opening ceremony of EXPO 2017,
at the level of Head of State, and eight
EU countries have confirmed visits at
ministerial level. Vice President of the
European Commission, Maros Sefcovic,
will participate in the Ministerial
Conference 'Meeting the Challenge of
Sustainable Energy' scheduled for the
11th of July.
Moreover, during EXPO the EU will organize
the 'EU Energy Days' event, which will
showcase the activities and events that
raise awareness of energy efficiency
and renewables, with a special focus on
sustainable energy and energy efficiency in
buildings. A special panel discussion will be
devoted to the nuclear fusion issue, where we
plan to discuss the European Fusion Roadmap
and Kazakhstan's cooperation with Euroatom
within the framework of the Bilateral Fusion
Cooperation Agreement.
Are you considering ‘Expo-2017 – Future
Energy’ as the right theme and platform
to present new technologies?
It is certainly our hope that EXPO 2017 will
significantly contribute to the promotion
of sustainable energy all over the world,
which is indeed a key element of a modern
economy in today's and tomorrow's world.
The EXPO focus is very timely, since it is
referring to the global challenge of identifying
the best options to fully meet the increased
and complex energy needs of the present
generations, without compromising the ability
of the future generations to benefit from the