Electrica concluded, on Wednesday, in Washington, a five-year strategic partnership with the Atlantic Council, one of the most important public policy organizations in the United States of America.

According to a company press release, the agreement was signed by Alexandru Chirita, CEO of Electrica, and Frederick Kempe, president and CEO of the Atlantic Council, during the 10th edition of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum.

'Through this agreement, Electrica joins the Atlantic Council presence in Bucharest as a founder of Atlantic Council Romania, becomes a Founding Partner of the Vertical Energy Corridor report on energy security along Europe's eastern flank, which will be published this year, and holds a place in the Romania Advisory Council,' the press release states.

According to the cited source, the signing takes place at a time when the energy infrastructure of South-Eastern Europe is becoming a central element of regional security, and transatlantic cooperation in the field of energy is taking on an increasingly pronounced strategic dimension.

'Alliances are maintained through determination and unity, and both are built in the economy long before they are needed in a crisis. And in our region, the economy means energy first and foremost: a network that resists is not just infrastructure, it is defense. This vision brought Electrica to Washington D.C.: not a request, but a contribution. A Romanian company that sits at the table where the energy security of the region is projected, because it has demonstrated that it can build,' said Alexandru Chirita, quoted in the press release

The Electrica Group is a key player in the distribution, supply and production of electricity in Romania, as well as one of the main providers of energy services at the national level. The Group serves 4 million users, covering 18 counties in three geographical areas for electricity distribution (Northern Transylvania, Southern Transylvania and Northern Muntenia), and the entire country for electricity supply, maintenance and energy services.

Since July 2014, Electrica, the Group's holding company, has been listed on the Bucharest and London Stock Exchanges, with majority private capital. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Nicoleta Gherasi; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)