Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 1 /Trend/
The extension of the Energy Community Treaty beyond 2016 was called during the last EU ministers meeting in the Energy Council, ENPI Info Center reported.
Welcoming the "the progress concerning the integration of the Energy Community with the EU", the Council conclusions on strengthening the external dimension of the EU energy policyset the priorities for enhancing and extending the Energy Community. They includes the extending the Energy Community Treaty beyond the year 2016; undertaking actions with the view of enlarging the Energy Community Treaty to neighbouring countries provided that they demonstrate both willingness and ability to implement and enforce relevant EU legislation.
Among the called priorities were continuing cooperation with Turkey, aiming at integration of the country into the Energy Community; continuing the analysis of the functioning of the Energy Community Treaty as well as establishing an operational roadmap allowing the accelerated modernisation of energy sectors in Energy Community contracting parties.
The ministers also underlined the further enhancement of the Energy Community integration with the EU as well as adapting the decision-making and organisational structures of the Energy Community to future challenges.
The Energy Community entered into force in 2006, and aims to extend the EU internal energy market to South East Europe and enhance the overall security of supply. The parties have committed themselves to liberalise their energy markets and implement key EU legal acts in the area of electricity, gas, environment and renewable energy.
In December 2009 the Energy Community Ministerial Council decided on the accession of Moldova and Ukraine. Today, the leitmotif behind the Energy Community Treaty is rather the import of the EU energy policy into non- EU countries.
Edited by: A.Badalova