Energy Charter News

Secretary-General Lentz discusses the details of the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure” with Deputy Minister Demchenkov

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 12:41:37 +0200

On 5 August 2022, Secretary-General Guy Lentz held a videoconference with Mr Yaroslav Demchenkov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine. During the meeting, the Parties discussed the planned activities of the Task Force established under the Energy Charter Secretariat as a part of the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”. Secretary-General Lentz expressed readiness to provide all support needed to facilitate, the activities of the Task Forces in undertaking as a priority, the Ukrainian energy sector damage assessment and determining the level of investment needed to rebuild based on new standards, taking into account clean energy transition while ensuring energy security. Deputy Minister Demchenkov highlighted the importance of efficient coordination of activities with international partners regarding Ukraine’s energy policy integration with the EU, especially in the framework of the energy markets operations, deeper commercial integration with the ENTSO-E, development of the Action Plan and the implementation of Ukrainian Hydrogen Strategy 2030. Secretary-General Lentz and Deputy Minister Demchenkov agreed to continue meetings related to further coordination of Task Force activities on a regular basis.

The Secretariat Welcomes Five Ukrainian Seconded Experts

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:05:18 +0200

On August 1, 2022, the Energy Charter Secretariat (ECS) welcomed five Ukrainian secondees, the members of the Task Force that will coordinate, support and facilitate planned activities for the Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure. The Secretary-General, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Mr Oleksandr Antonenko and Ms Özlem Duyan met with Ms Inna Slobodian; Deputy Head of the Department – Head of the Division on the Bilateral Cooperation and International Treaties, Department for International Affairs, Mr Vladyslav Maksakov; State Expert of Expert Group for Renewable Electricity Development of the Directorate for Power Sector and Electricity Market Development, Mr Ievgen Rossikov; State Expert of Expert Group for State Programs and Formation of Energy-Efficient Behavior of the Final Energy Consumers of the Directorate for Energy and Resource Efficiency Policy Formation, Secretary of the Interagency Working Group on the Development of Hydrogen Strategy for Ukraine, Ms Yevheniia Nimak; State Expert of the Expert Group for European and Euroatlantic Integration of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and European Integration and Mr Oleksandr Laktionov; Head of the Strategic Projects and Programs of the Strategic Planning Department, National Joint Stock Company «Naftogaz of Ukraine». The Secretary-General touched upon the objective of the Task Force and the role of the Secretariat to facilitate post-conflict investments towards the restoration of the energy infrastructure in Ukraine, taking into account the clean energy transition and the energy security of Ukraine. Ukrainian seconded experts will contribute to the coordination of the Task Force conducted from the ECS in Brussels, Belgium, for a period of six months. The specific objective of the Task Force is to assist the Government of Ukraine in the cost-effective restoration of energy infrastructure, taking the clean energy transition into account while ensuring energy security.

Secretary General Lentz met with H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:11:50 +0200

On 26th July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Ms Ishita Pant, Ms Özlem Duyan and Dr Nidal Tayeh, met virtually with H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates. Mr Guy Lentz presented the main streams of the Secretariat work, the possible development of the cooperation with the Ministry, and in particular, the potential synergy with the United Arab Emirates projects in the energy sector in several areas, including in Member and Observer Countries of the Energy Charter Conference. The Secretary-General and Mr Al-Olama agreed on a set of steps to enhance cooperation between the Ministry and the General Secretariat, which will be taken during the coming period, including proposals for joint projects, working meetings, and exploring various areas of cooperation.

Message of Condolences from the Secretary General on the death of H.E. Dr. Barkindo, Secretary-General of OPEC (delivered on 6 July 2022 during the Nigerian National Energy Summit)

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 15:08:57 +0200

It is with deep sadness that I have been informed of the unexpected death of Secretary General Barkindo of OPEC here in Abudja - at the very same time when I myself am on mission to meet the officials of many Nigerian governmental authorities, in order to exchange views about the Energy Charter Treaty and its modernisation process. Dr. Mohammad Barkindo, a Nigerian politician and long-serving Secretary-General of OPEC, died at the age of 63 - just days before he was set to finish his term at the organization. The international energy community has lost a respected and forward-looking leader - who cannot be easily replaced. It is a great loss to his immediate family, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the whole nation of Nigeria, as well as OPEC and the global energy community. I and the entire team of the Energy Secretariat stands with his family, the OPEC staff, and the Nigerian authorities and its people in those difficult moments.

The Secretariat Team attends debriefing meeting of the Nigeria National Energy Summit

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:44:16 +0200

On 8 July 2022, as a follow-up to the 2022 National Energy Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 4-7 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria for a debriefing meeting at the Energy Commission of Nigeria in Abuja, Nigeria. Prof. Bala thanked Mr Lentz and the Secretariat team for the collaboration in organising the Summit, which was well-attended and succeeded in promoting a clearer path for Nigeria towards acceding to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). He expressed his satisfaction with the results of the bilateral meetings held at the different ministries and the National Assembly and stated his hope that the Summit and the accession to the ECT will attract more investments in the Nigerian energy sector. Prof. Bala also stressed the willingness of Nigeria to tackle head-on the challenges triggered by climate change and the determination of the country to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions. He praised, in particular, the expertise of Ms Pant and underlined that the Nigeria EIRA Extended Profile 2020 would help Nigeria amend its institutional and legal framework.

The Secretary-General visits the Ministry of Justice of Nigeria

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:27:28 +0200

On 7 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary (SGF/PS), in Abuja, Nigeria, acting on behalf of Mr Abubaka Malami, Hon. Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria. Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba congratulated Mr Lentz and Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, for the success of the 2022 National Energy Summit organised around the theme “Green Economy and Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria”, and underlined the governmental commitment to clean renewable energy. She further stressed the importance of a solid legal, regulatory and institutional framework which the ECT will be able to offer and the benefits that a full membership to the Treaty will constitute for Nigeria. She also assured Mr Lentz and Prof. Bala of the full support of the Ministry in acceding to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and of the determination to meet all the accession requirements under a reasonable timeline. With that aim in mind, an inter-ministerial committee will be established under the initiative of the Ministry of Justice to join efforts and complete the remaining chapters of the ECT accession process.

The Secretary-General visits the Nigerian National Assembly

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:25:34 +0200

On 7 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Nigerian Senator Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, in Abuja, Nigeria. Mr Lentz extended his sincere thanks to Senator Ekwunife for her presence and intervention at the 2022 National Energy Summit Opening Ceremony, and expressed his deep respect and appreciation for the commitment and common vision of all stakeholders present at the Summit towards energy transition. Senator Ekwunife acknowledged the opportune time of the Energy Charter Secretariat’s visit at a time when Nigeria is in a process of energy diversification. She underlined the importance for Nigeria to become a Contracting Party to the Energy Charter Treaty and the opportunities that such membership would represent for Nigeria in terms of foreign investments in the energy sector.

The Secretary-General visits the ECOWAS Commission in Nigeria

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:24:01 +0200

On 7 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Mr Dabire Bayaornibe, Director of Energy at ECOWAS, and Mr Arkadius Koumoin, Programme Officer in Energy at ECOWAS, in Abuja, Nigeria. Mr Lentz praised the great success of the 2022 National Energy Summit and expressed his thanks to ECOWAS and the Energy Commission of Nigeria for their fruitful collaboration in organizing the event. He also applauded the shared vision expressed by national stakeholders during the Summit and the long term project for the energy sector in Nigeria. The parties also discussed the continuation of the joint ECOWAS-ECS-AGoSE collaboration for the year 2022-2024 which aims at improving energy governance in West Africa.

The Secretary-General visits the Ministry of Environment of Nigeria

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:21:11 +0200

On 7 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Mr Mohammed H. Abdullahi, Nigerian Minister of Environment, in Abuja, Nigeria. Mr. Lentz explained the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and underlined the introduction of the flexibility mechanism which allows Contracting Parties to exclude investment protection for fossil fuels in their territories. The parties agreed that the modernised Treaty is a response to the global concern regarding climate change and discussed the benefits for Nigeria to accede to the ECT. Mr Abdullahi also gave Mr Lentz the Ministry reports on the national policies on climate change, environment and the strategy to combat wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria.

The Energy Charter Secretariat participates in the second day of the National Energy Summit of Nigeria 2022

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:38:18 +0200

On 6 July 2022, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the Energy Charter Secretariat (ECS) opened the second day of the National Energy Summit of Nigeria. The audience observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to Mr Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, the former Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), who passed away on 5 July 2022. Recognising Mr Barkindo as an inspiring figure, the Secretary-General of the ECS, Mr Guy Lentz, expressed his deep regret and paid respects to the many achievements of Mr Barkindo in the energy sector. During the first plenary session of the day, moderated by Secretary-General Lentz, the ECS staff discussed with national stakeholders the accession path of Nigeria and ECOWAS Member Countries to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). Dr Hava Yurttagül of the ECS provided stakeholders with information on the ECT's background, objectives, governing bodies and modernisation process. This was followed by the ECN's presentation of the ECT accession reports on energy efficiency, investment, and harmonisation of laws. Dr Monica Emmanuel of the ECS then explained the ECT accession process and updated stakeholders on Nigeria's progress in this respect. After that, Mr Dabire Bayaornibe, Director of Energy at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, made a brief statement about the ongoing collaboration between the ECN, the ECS and the ECOWAS Commission. In the final presentation of this plenary, Ms Ishita Pant of the ECS presented to stakeholders the key findings and recommendations of Nigeria's Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) Extended Profile 2020 and 2021. She discussed Nigeria's policy planning for the energy sector until 2050, the complementarities between the country's ongoing international investment agreement reform and the ECT modernisation process, and measures needed to achieve Nigeria's social, economic and climate change goals. The last two plenary sessions of the day focused on the energy transition of Nigeria's oil and gas industry and achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. The discussants included the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

ECOWAS - Nigeria EIRA Extended Profile 2021

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:54:14 +0200

The ECOWAS- Nigeria EIRA Extended Profile offers policy recommendations to the Federal Government of Nigeria to reduce policy, legal and regulatory risks in the energy sector and unlock investment for a sustainable energy future. It identifies the main priorities for the country's energy sector and the progress made towards meeting them in the last year. Updates are available on the key energy projects and programmes implemented during the EIRA assessment year. Readers also have information on the latest legislative and regulatory updates reviewed against the risk areas covered by EIRA.

Nigeria EIRA Extended Profile 2020

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:50:00 +0200

Nigeria's Third EIRA Extended Profile 2020 is a collaboration between the Energy Commission of Nigeria and the Energy Charter Secretariat. The report provides national policymakers with in-depth recommendations to reduce legal and regulatory risks in the energy sector and mobilise financing for clean energy investments for a sustainable future. It identifies the main priorities for the country's energy sector and the progress made towards meeting them in recent years.

Secretary-General delivers the keynote speech and launches the EIRA Extended Profile of Nigeria at the National Energy Summit of Nigeria

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:11:44 +0200

On 5 July 2022, the Energy Commission of Nigeria opened a two-day National Energy Summit on the theme ‘Green Economy and Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria: Investment Opportunities and Challenges’ in Abuja, Nigeria. The Summit was attended by high-level representatives of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Senate and House Committees on Science, Technology and Innovation, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission. The Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, delivered the keynote speech during the event. He informed stakeholders that on 24 June 2022, the Contracting Parties to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) confirmed the unprecedented in-principle agreement on the modernisation of the ECT. With this agreement, the Energy Charter Process took a historical leap towards aligning the ECT with the clean energy transition and ensuring carbon neutrality, based on the UNFCCC principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. He emphasised the role that the modernised ECT can play in facilitating renewable energy investments from small and medium enterprises in countries that lack resilient legal and regulatory investment frameworks. With the finalisation of the modernisation process, he expressed hope that soon the Secretariat would be able to open doors for Observer countries, such as Nigeria, to accede to the ECT. During the event, Secretary-General Lentz also presented the 2020 and 2021 Energy Investmet Risk Assessment (EIRA) Extended Profiles of Nigeria to the Permanent Secretary representing the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He underlined that the findings of the EIRA reports signal the good progress the Federal Government of Nigeria is making in revitalising the energy sector, securing affordable and reliable energy access, and working towards its international commitments under the Paris Agreement. He welcomed Nigeria's continued cooperation on the EIRA project and hoped it would encourage other ECOWAS countries to do the same.

The Secretariat Team visits the Energy Commission of Nigeria

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:43:36 +0200

On 4 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria in Abuja, Nigeria. Mr Guy Lentz presented the key achievements negotiated during the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty and explained how the amended Treaty provides a solid legal framework able to meet the needs of the international energy sector currently undergoing a transformative change. As co-organisers of the National Energy Summit, the parties also discussed the upcoming 2022 Summit focused on the green economy and sustainable energy development in Nigeria.

The Secretariat Team visits the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Nigeria

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:41:28 +0200

On 4 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Mrs Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Abuja, Nigeria. Mr Guy Lentz emphasized the urgency of addressing the challenges related to climate change and the tools developed under the modernised Energy Charter Treaty to implement sustainable energy solutions. The parties also discussed the social aspects of investments in Nigeria and the need to ensure a path forward based on engagement and a relationship of mutual benefit.

The Secretariat Team visits the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:38:11 +0200

On 4 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with H.E. Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria in Abuja, Nigeria. Mr Guy Lentz laid down the key principles of the modernised Energy Charter Treaty as a tailor-made international investment Treaty able to accommodate national energy priorities and create a solid legal framework providing legal certainty for investors. In this respect, H.E. Mr Geoffrey Onyeama emphasized that Nigeria aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 through major investments in renewable energies.

The Secretariat Team visits the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:34:00 +0200

On 4 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with Mr Emeka R. Offor, the Ag. Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. The parties discussed the need to promote a positive investment climate in Nigeria and the role that the modernised Energy Charter Treaty can play in supporting the strategy of the Federal Government towards sustainable investments. Both parties also expressed their interest to further their cooperation beyond the 2022 National Energy Summit for the realisation of the investment objectives of Nigeria.

The Secretariat Team attends Coordination Meeting for the Nigeria National Energy Summit

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 09:38:55 +0200

On 3 July 2022, in preparation for the 2022 National Energy Summit to be held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 4-7 July 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and his team, Dr Monica Emmanuel, Ms. Ishita Pant and Dr Hava Yurttagül, met with H.E. Mr Obinna Chiedu Onuwu, Ambassador of Nigeria to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, and Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria for a coordination meeting. Several outstanding issues were discussed during the meeting, including the future role of renewable energies in Africa and the importance of a comprehensive and differentiated approach to the energy transition. The parties also discussed the key part played by private investments and the need to address the challenges of tomorrow through a solid regulatory framework and strengthened international cooperation. In this respect, Mr Lentz assured the full support of the Secretariat in developing a close partnership between Europe and Nigeria.

Communication of the Secretary General on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 12:33:48 +0200

After two years of intense negotiations, on 24 June 2022, the Contracting Parties concluded the negotiations for the modernised Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) by reaching an agreement in principle. This is a significant milestone, a historical one, for the International Energy Charter process. A call for modernisation of the Energy Charter Process was made in 2010 when the Energy Charter Conference recognised “the need for investments in the energy sector […] to mitigate climate change" and that “the interaction between the states’ climate change policies and the ECT investment regime merits further analysis”. However, it was not until the end of 2017 that the Energy Charter Conference confirmed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the launch of a discussion on the potential modernisation of the ECT itself. After consultations in 2018, the Conference approved in Autumn 2019 some suggested policy options for each of the agreed topics and the mandate for the Modernisation Group to conclude negotiations expeditiously. The ECT’s modernisation is a culmination of a long journey that paves the way for the energy transition to reach carbon neutrality in the longer term, based on the UNFCCC principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. I would like to thank the delegates who participated in the negotiation process for their commitment, dedication and constructive approach to making this happen, especially under the constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to mention the important role of civil society in contributing to the modernisation of the ECT. We would not have succeeded without your support, and constructive criticism publicly expressed throughout the process. Many critics saw the ECT as a threat to the global energy transition and an obstacle to the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Contracting Parties’ climate ambitions, including the European Union's Green Deal. On the contrary, once approved and ratified, the modernised ECT will have a much stronger climate focus, will be aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and will support the global energy transition while ensuring affordable energy for all. The amended ECT will strengthen the right of the governments to pursue their public policy objectives in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation by, for example, excluding or phasing out the investment protection for fossil fuels. At the same time, it will facilitate sustainable energy investments as the extended definition of Economic Activity in the Energy Sector now includes carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and the updated list of Energy Materials and Products cover hydrogen, biomass and biogas. In addition, every five years, or on such date as may be determined by the Energy Charter Conference, the governments will have a right to review the list of energy resources and technologies to reflect the up-to-date developments in the global energy market. A solid and reliable legal environment for all existing and new ECT members is a prerequisite for any acceleration of energy investments. It is at the heart of the ECT that will provide more clarity and transparency in its updated text to facilitate clean energy investments and gradually phase out protection for fossil fuels. In the same vein, dispute settlement provisions of the ECT have been clarified with greater transparency in line with international best practices. Indeed, it is widely known that the ECT is the most frequently invoked international investment agreement. However, what is essential to know is that the majority of investment disputes under the ECT are brought by small and medium enterprises and are related to renewable power generation. Of 150 publicly known investment arbitration cases under the ECT, 60 % are related to renewables. Another critical aspect that raised many debates within the European Union in recent years is the clarity on the status of the Regional Economic Integration Organisation (REIO). The new text of the ECT clarifies that specific provisions related to transit, trade and dispute settlement, including investment arbitration, shall not apply among members of a REIO. This clarification particularly addresses concerns within the European Union, which is currently the only REIO-Contracting Party to the ECT. The constituency of the International Energy Charter is unique – it brings together energy exporting, importing and transit countries. The transit provisions of the ECT were further strengthened to enhance energy security by introducing general principles for facilitation of transparent and non-discriminatory access to existing and future Energy Transport Facilities as well as denial of access, capacity allocation mechanisms and congestion management procedures and application of tariffs required for access to or the use of Energy Transport Facilities, as well as the methodologies used for their calculation. There are also countries at different stages of development – developed, emerging and developing countries with various development needs and priorities. The updated ECT must ensure investment facilitation and protection in line with the policy objectives of these diverse countries. The critical role of the ECT is to create a legal framework so emerging and developing economies can attract much-needed investments to modernise their energy systems and advance their energy transition to clean energy much faster and more efficiently than today. It is precisely the role of the Energy Charter Secretariat to help its member constituency develop an enabling investment environment and facilitate the transfer of technologies and know-how to promote open and competitive energy markets. We are on the path to a carbon-neutral future. By defining rules and incentives, we are sending a clear signal to investors to deploy clean energy technologies for economic growth without compromising the environment. With around 40 countries in the queue for accession, the modernised ECT has a worldwide future, and I hope that as more countries follow suit, it will become universal.

High-Level Delegation from the Republic of Moldova visits the Energy Charter Secretariat

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:36:13 +0200

On 30 June 2022, a delegation of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mr. Andrei Spînu, met with the Secretary-General Mr. Guy Lentz and Deputy Secretary General Ms. Atsuko Hirose. The parties discussed matters related to the Energy Charter Treaty, as well as the current situation in the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova. Of a particular emphasis was the legislation of Moldova governing investments into the renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. To further the cooperation between Moldova and the Secretariat, a possibility of hosting secondees and interns was raised. The parties agreed to deepen and develop dialogue on several energy issues. The Deputy Prime Minister Spînu was accompanied by H.E. Mrs. Daniela Morari, Ambassador and Head of Mission of Moldova to the EU and other high-level members of the Moldovan Government.