November 22, 2007
At the General Assembly in Madrid on 21 November, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) elected Marcel Kramer, CEO of the Dutch company Gasunie, as its next President.
GIE is the European association of 57 companies owning and/or operating natural gas pipeline networks, storage facilities and LNG terminals in 27 countries. GIE is an increasingly important counterpart for European and national authorities, such as the European Commission and the ERGEG, the European organisation which brings together national regulatory bodies.
Marcel Kramer, who succeeds Geert Joosten as President, commented: “Clean and secure energy supply is of vital importance to all of us. Natural gas will continue to play an essential role in meeting that need for decades to come. Europe must have reliable and cost-effective infrastructure and should ensure its timely expansion. Only then can natural gas, of which an increasing percentage must be imported into the EU, indeed reach European customers and support economic growth.
GIE members can best serve the public interest when the investment climate for infrastructure is positive. Cross-border co-operation, not only between GIE members but also with the crucially important players from outside the EU who have the stewardship over large natural gas reserves, must be fostered. GIE members themselves are taking many initiatives in this respect. They are also committed to a positive and open dialogue with policy-makers as necessary to bring about this investment climate and co-operation. In addition, GIE welcomes the initiatives taken by national regulatory bodies, to step up their co-operation, especially regarding ways to meet growing regional cross-border infrastructure needs”.
