“Reforging the Transatlantic Energy Alliance: From Sanctions towards Cooperation”

The spat between Europe and the Trump administration over unilateral U.S. sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has strained transatlantic relations. Even those EU Member States critical of the pipeline have questioned the legitimacy of the extraterritorial action put in place by bipartisan coalitions in the U.S. House and Senate. With President Biden in the White House, an opportunity to rebuild transatlantic relations arises. Leaders’ statements from Washington, Brussels and Berlin are encouraging, but need to be turned into action.

This outlook gives rise to a number of questions and issues, which this roundtable aims to address: What concrete measures can be undertaken to overcome deep-seated differences? Can the U.S.’ recommitment to fight global climate change serve as a foundation for a new transatlantic energy partnership? What new challenges are we facing?

Our guests:

Ambassador Daniel Fried, Former U.S. Ambassador to Poland; Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council

Sigmar Gabriel, Former Federal Minister; Former Vice-Chancellor; Chairman, Atlantik-Brücke

Mario Mehren, CEO, Wintershall Dea GmbH

Ambassador Janusz Reiter, Former Polish Ambassador to the U.S. and Germany; Founder, Center for International Relations, Warsaw

and Dr. Kirsten Westphal, Global Issues Senior Associate, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)

The discussion will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Friedbert Pflüger, CASSIS, University of Bonn; Managing Partner, Bingmann Pflüger International GmbH, and is held in cooperation with Energiegespräch am Reichstag.