The energy policy situation in Central Europe is tenser than ever before and has a significant impact on our lives. On the one hand, the European Union has long been pushing for an increase in the proportion of energy from renewable sources; on the other hand, we urgently need to free ourselves from dependence on Russian gas in terms of democratic values and moral conscience. Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland share a common cultural and economic area. Energy policy is one of THE key issues, not only but above all for the region in the border triangle. While Germany is rapidly phasing out nuclear energy and coal, an important economic sector in the region, the Czech Republic is relying on nuclear energy to achieve its climate targets. At the same time, Poland continues to rely heavily on coal and is making plans to build a new nuclear power plant. These different approaches not only have an impact on the economic future of the three countries, but also on that of the tri-border region. One thing is clear: energy policy could become an issue of conflict - or an opportunity for closer cooperation. The second trilateral dialogue conference in Zittau, organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in cooperation with the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and the Wilhelm Külz Foundation, will deal with this topic.

Both regional and European perspectives on the topic of energy security will be discussed in two panel discussions. MEP Nicola Beer, Vice-President of the European Parliament, has been invited as keynote speaker. She is a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

In addition, we are also planning a World Cafe to engage in a direct exchange with individual speakers from Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland on the topic of energy security and to discuss regional challenges in the thematic focus "Turów as a dispute - perspectives for future planned energy policy in the three-country region". Thomas Zenker, Mayor of Zittau, for example, will address municipal challenges for the three-country region, while Agnieszka Spirydowicz from ZKlaster in Poland will talk about cross-border regional projects and a cross-border hydrogen strategy. Martina Jakl from the German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Prague will discuss economic perspectives for the region from an entrepreneurial point of view, while Prof. Karel Frana will address technical and technological perspectives with future prospects.

Downloads: Invitation (de), Invitation (en)

Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Peter-Dierich-Haus Z IV, Theodor-Körner-Allee 8, 02763 Zittau

Registration - Trilateral Dialogue

Registration - Trilateral Dialogue

The event is free of charge.

German/English with simultaneous translation