During a Baltic-wide conference on energy security, availability, and sustainability, Latvia's climate and energy minister Kaspars Melnis highlighted the importance of creating an energy system that is resilient to external influences. He underscored the need to learn from past experiences and ongoing events in Ukraine, stressing that today's development is driven by energy and reliance on stable energy supply systems is essential for innovation and service provision by businesses. The competitiveness of a nation is significantly influenced by sustainable energy production at competitive prices.

Melnis pointed out that energy and its infrastructure are increasingly utilized as weapons and targets for strategic attacks. He drew attention to the energy crisis in Europe in 2022 and the terror inflicted on the people of Ukraine by Russia, illustrating how energy dependency can pose severe risks to national security. The minister's remarks serve as a reminder of the broader implications of energy policy and the importance of fostering energy independence not just for economic reasons, but also for safeguarding a nation's sovereignty and security.

The conference "Energy Development Directions in the Baltic Sea Region" aimed to address these pressing issues, highlighting collective efforts needed to enhance energy security across the Baltic region. As nations grapple with energy dependencies stemming from geopolitical tensions, discussions like these are vital in shaping future energy policies that emphasize resilience and sustainability, allowing countries to better withstand external pressures and maintain their security and stability.