European and international leaders analyze energy security, geopolitical risks, and the region’s new energy corridors in Bucharest

Romania Government Roundtable 2026, an event organized by The Economist, takes place in exclusive partnership with RCI Holding

In the context of geopolitical tensions reshaping Europe’s energy architecture and the acceleration of strategic infrastructure projects in the region, energy security, geopolitical risks, and new energy corridors will be at the center of the debates within the Romania Government Roundtable, organized by The Economist editorial group, taking place between 30 March and 1 April 2026 in Bucharest.

The event is held in exclusive partnership with RCI Holding, which supports the development of a regional dialogue platform built on collaboration, multidisciplinary expertise, and strategic responsibility, dedicated to the themes that will shape the energy future of South‑Eastern Europe.
At a time when energy security, critical infrastructures, and regional cooperation are becoming essential factors for continental stability, the event brings together political leaders, experts, and representatives of the business community to identify sustainable solutions and common courses of action.

Strategic themes of the conference

Energy security in South‑Eastern Europe, the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the development of regional energy corridors, and the role of the Black Sea in diversifying energy resources are among the key topics of the debates.
Speakers addressing these topics include current and former high‑level European and international officials, such as:

• Tánczos Barna, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government 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

• Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European Commissioner and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece

Against the backdrop of recent developments in the Middle East and regional tensions generated by 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 of the 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 analyze how geopolitical instability affects the energy security of South‑Eastern Europe and influences geopolitical negotiations in the region, including in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Stavros Papastavrou, Greek Minister of Energy, will take part in a debate on the role of energy corridors connecting the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and the Caspian region in the current process of reconfiguring energy geopolitics.

In addition, Sebastian Burduja, Honorary Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Minister of Energy, together with Matthew Bryza, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, will discuss the Black Sea’s potential for natural gas exploration and transport, as well as the impact of geopolitical transformations on energy projects in the region.

Artificial intelligence and the energy transition

The energy transition will be addressed both from the perspective of the role of artificial intelligence in modernizing electricity grids and strengthening the resilience of energy systems, and from the perspective of the necessary balance between economic development and environmental protection.
In this context, 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, will engage in a dialogue on how artificial intelligence can contribute to increasing the resilience of energy systems and accelerating the transformation of Europe’s energy infrastructure.

Additionally, the role of transport and energy infrastructure in strengthening regional cooperation, including within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative, will be addressed in a panel with confirmed participation from Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner, and Tánczos Barna, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Romania.

Extensive participation of the business community

The event will bring together leading figures from the business community and the regional energy sector.
Among them are: Ömer Tetik, CEO of Banca Transilvania; Alessio Menegazzo, CEO & Country Manager at PPC Romania; Iwona Sikora, Senior Vice‑President and General Manager Europe & South Africa, Iron Mountain; Robert Hanea, Founder, President and CEO of Therme Group; Ionuț Stanimir, Chief Brand Officer of Banca Comercială Română (BCR); Dan Stratan, CEO of RCI Holding; Alexandros Exarchou, President & CEO of AKTOR Group of Companies; Cristian Erbașu, Chief Executive, Construcții Erbașu; President, Federation of Employers of Construction Companies; Volker Raffel, General Manager of E.ON Romania; Mehmet Burak Vardan, Chairman of the Board of CCN Holding; Ondrej Safar, Country Manager of Evryo; Nicholas Richard, CEO of ENGIE Romania and President of CCIFER; Georgiana Miron, Member of the Executive Committee of Groupama; Fady Chreih, CEO of Regina Maria; Corneliu Bodea, CEO of ADREM; Răzvan Iorgu, Managing Director of CBRE; Radu Vasile, CEO of Eximprod Engineering; Manolis Sigalas, President of Europe Hill International; Mihaela Bîtu, CEO of ING Bank; Marcel Cobuz, CEO of TITAN Group; Bogdan Badea, CEO of SPEEH Hidroelectrica; Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of SN Nuclearelectrica; Răzvan Popescu, CEO of SNGN Romgaz; Alexandru Chiriță, CEO of Electrica.

RCI Holding – a regional player in the development of strategic infrastructure

RCI Holding joins this dialogue platform through its exclusive partnership with The Economist, supporting the group’s vision of contributing to the development of resilient and interconnected economic ecosystems at a time when energy security, critical infrastructures, and regional cooperation are becoming central elements of European economic competitiveness.
With solid experience in critical infrastructure and strategic projects in the fields of energy, technology, and consultancy, the companies within RCI Holding contribute to the desvelopment of regional initiatives that support infrastructure modernization and the economic integration of South‑Eastern Europe.
Through expertise accumulated in large‑scale projects and through collaboration with public institutions, international organizations, and industrial partners, the group facilitates dialogue between the public sector, the investment community, and regional economic ecosystems, including in the context of European Union enlargement and the development of critical infrastructure in candidate countries.

Event logistics

We would like to remind you that the official opening of the conference will take place at the Romanian Athenaeum on 30 March, while on 31 March – 1 April the plenary sessions and thematic debates will continue at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel.
The public can participate by reserving a seat at the following link: https://the-economist-impact-events.idloom.events/romania-government-roundtable

Background

This press release is based on public information previously provided by Economist Impact Events, the organizer of Romania Government Roundtable 2026, and reflects the institutional and strategic positioning of RCI Holding as exclusive partner for Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
Founded in 2000, RCI Holding is a multinational group headquartered in Bucharest, with operations in over 35 countries. The group includes 21 companies active in critical infrastructure, energy markets, consultancy, technology, and digital services, managing over €25 billion in CAPEX, delivering more than 3,000 projects, and generating annual revenues of €71 million.

Economist Impact Events in South‑Eastern Europe, officially represented by Hazlis & Rivas Group, has been organizing high‑level government roundtables and landmark summits across the region since 1996, bringing together heads of state, opinion leaders, Nobel Prize laureates, business leaders, and international institutions for relevant and in‑depth debates across a wide range of topics. 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 globally trusted brand of editorial integrity.