BREC Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Europe’s Energy Future and Strategic Resilience with a Postgraduate Student Delegation from Taiwan

Brussels, 2 July – The Brussels Energy Club (BREC) welcomed a delegation of postgraduate students from six leading universities in Taiwan for a roundtable discussion in Brussels. The student delegation was accompanied by Professor Wan-Li Wang, Director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Department at the Brussels Diplomatic Academy. The event brought together policymakers, business representatives, academics, and energy experts to discuss the evolution of European energy policy, institutional resilience, and international connectivity.

BREC Founder, Dr Marat Terterov opened the discussion by outlining how geopolitical uncertainty has fundamentally reshaped Europe’s approach to energy security. He highlighted the evolution from a narrow focus on security of gas supply to a broader strategy aimed at reducing external dependencies through market integration, diversification of supply routes, and accelerated investment in the green transition. Reflecting on the lessons of recent crises, Terterov noted that while the European Green Deal and the 2015 Paris Agreement accelerated decarbonisation efforts, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine served as “an Arctic cold shower,” reminding Europe that energy security and the green transition must advance together rather than as competing priorities.

Timothy Beyer Helm, former-Adviser in the Cabinet of the Secretary-General of the European Parliament, argued how climate change, demographic shifts and technological transformation are converging to create unprecedented uncertainty, making effective international institutions and closer European cooperation more important than ever.

TÜSİAD Representative to the EU, Dilek Aydin discussed Europe’s industrial policy in the context of multiple overlapping crises. She described the European Green Deal as an ambitious political project while stressing that Europe must simultaneously strengthen competitiveness, industrial capacity and strategic partnerships.

Valikhan Bakhretdinov of EU Kazakhstan Gateway highlighted Central Asia’s growing strategic importance in global supply chains. He pointed to Kazakhstan’s potential role in supplying critical raw materials essential for Europe’s green and digital transitions.

The discussion concluded with an interactive exchange on Europe’s ability to deliver its green transition at the pace required by rapidly changing geopolitical realities. Speakers agreed that while significant EU funding is available to support sectors such as green hydrogen and clean technologies, institutional complexity and fragmented capital markets continue to slow implementation. The dialogue also examined the European Union’s unique role as a regulatory power, with participants reflecting on how the EU increasingly exports its legal frameworks, standards and governance practices beyond its borders through its external partnerships and market influence.

The discussion reflected BREC’s commitment to fostering informed dialogue on Europe’s key strategic challenges.