Bled, Slovenia (2 September 2025) — In the midst of Europe’s mounting challenges—from fossil fuel dependence and critical raw material shortages to decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries and soaring green-energy costs—a promising initiative has gained momentum at the 20th Bled Strategic Forum, held 1–2 September 2025 under the banner “A Runaway World”
During the Forum, ECUBES, the initiator behind the Oryx Green Adriatic Blue (OGAB) project—a vertically integrated project sourcing green hydrogen from MENA regions to supply up to 10 % of EU hydrogen demand—held a key meeting with EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela and his cabinet team.
The Global Gateway strategy, championed by Commissioner Síkela earlier this year at forums such as Davos, serves as the EU’s flagship approach to sustainably invest abroad and support strategic infrastructure, connectivity, and development goals. OGAB’s request aligns neatly with the broader EU imperative to green hard‑to‑abate sectors and reinforce strategic autonomy.
OGAB’s proposal couldn’t come at a more critical moment: Europe is seeking to break fossil fuel dependency, make green energy economically viable, and ensure strategic resource autonomy. By offering an Affordable Green Energy on Demand at prices of fossil fuel without subsides, OGAB directly addresses these systemic challenges. The EU’s positive response and the suggestion to tap into multiple support instruments mark a promising step toward a green and resilient energy future.
Meeting outcome—Optimism and strategic synergy
The meeting, organized and backed by the Slovenian Ministry of Economic Affairs, ended on a high note. EU officials signaled a positive outlook, citing OGAB’s potential to draw on multiple EU instruments—not just Global Gateway—thus diversifying support options.