The Seminar was formally opened and concluded by Mr. Elyor Ganiev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and Mrs. Ria Kemper, the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat. During the Seminar, participants considered the need to create a more attractive climate for investments in the energy sectors of Central Asian states, to promote greater policy focus on energy efficiency in the region, and to establish a more stable legal regime for the transit of oil, gas and electricity through Central Asia and beyond it to external markets.

Issues relating to the restructuring of domestic gas and electricity markets within Central Asia were also reviewed. In each of these contexts, attention was paid to the role of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) - a multilateral framework agreement promoting inter-governmental energy cooperation - as a legal basis for protecting investors' rights, reducing political risks associated with cross-border energy transit and trade, and developing competitive energy markets. All five Central Asian states are Contracting Parties to the ECT.

"This was the first Seminar of its kind to be held, focusing specifically on the contribution of the Energy Charter Process to regional cooperation in Central Asia. Uzbekistan has a major interest in developing good cooperation with its regional neighbours on energy issues, and we are therefore very pleased to have been able to host this important event",

commented Mr. Ganiev.

According to Mrs. Kemper, cooperation on energy issues among the states of Central Asia will be a vital factor in ensuring the region's long-term economic stability and prosperity.

"For this reason, governments and investors need to know that all the countries of Central Asia subscribe to a common set of "rules of the game" for such cooperation, as contained in the ECT. Our Seminar in Tashkent has been extremely useful in raising awareness within the region of how the Treaty's rules can help in this respect as a legal foundation for building open, competitive energy markets. The Energy Charter Secretariat is very grateful to the Government of Uzbekistan for making this event possible, and for their excellent hospitality and organisational support",

commented Mrs. Kemper.