ENERGY – THREAT OR OPORTUNITY FOR EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The article aims to shows a synthetic analysis of the processes and strategies of the European countries that have granted a special priority to energy policies and security perspectives at the regional an especially at the national levels. The text highlights features and consequences of different national strategic approaches of energy security issues, taking into account the national security and economic interests of each European country, and continues by analyzing the controversial effects of the international economic sanctions applied to the Russian Federation and the similar sanction relief for Iran. The new opportunities given to Europe by the alternative energy sources for the European Union and the important part played by Norway, Romania and the Western Balkans countries are tackled in a very direct and objective manner, showing a realistic picture of a very tormented region of the world crossing a very complicated period