He further noted that the Treaty is available to be expanded both in terms of its membership and its scope. Such a development could "address Russia's concern that the interests of producers are not fully reflected currently [in the Treaty]."

Given this, Mr. Dispenza called on Russia to reconsider some of its assumptions in respect of the Energy Charter and pointed to the benefits that Russian ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty would bring. Such a step "would give the country a more robust legal basis to sustain its interests, since ratification implies not just obligations but also a stronger voice to express a country's particular concerns."