The Student Affairs and Professional Development Office of the College of Europe in Natolin organised a two-day workshop titled ''Climate and Energy Diplomacy'' with Ambassador Václav BARTUŠKA.
This workshop aimed to provide with a comprehensive understanding about the energy and climate diplomacy: two crucial fields in contemporary international relations. Energy diplomacy has emerged as a vital component of diplomatic strategies, addressing issues of energy security amidst its growing impact on national security and economies.
Mr BARTUŠKA shared his insights about the challenges ahead and the role of diplomacy in securing Europe’s energy future, because as he warns: ''Energy security is no longer just a policy concern but a fundamental matter of survival''.
About the speaker:
Mr Václav BARTUŠKA holds the position of Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security of the Czech Republic in 2006. He works on a wide range of issues from oil and gas supplies to energy strategy. During the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine in January 2009, when the Czech Republic held the EU Presidency, he was involved in negotiations with Russian, Ukrainian, and EU leadership. In 2010, he was appointed by the Czech Government to the Commissioner for expansion at the Temelin nuclear power plant. Since 2003, he has taught modern history and security studies at New York University, Prague campus, and in 2017, he joined Czech Technical University.