Mr. Defilla presented Energy Charter activities in Central Asia related to cross-border electricity cooperation. The Charter's  Task Force on Regional Energy Cooperation in Central and Southern Asia focuses on strengthening energy security in general and electricity security in participating countries in particular. The Task Force provides for activities strengthening the performance of national markets as well as enhancing electricity trade in the mutual interest of all parties. Mr. Defilla invited the CIS Power Council to explore the possibility of projects of common interest with the Energy Charter.

Mr. Defilla also met with Mr. Natiq Abbasov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, to discuss follow-up activities in relation to energy efficiency review of the country published by the Energy Charter Secretariat in 2013. The Charter systematically monitors energy efficiency policies and recommendations agreed in the framework of voluntary country reviews.

The CIS Power Council was created 25 years ago in order to allow for electricity cooperation between newly independent states of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It has the status of observer to the Energy Charter.