The Secretary General underlined the importance of multilateral energy cooperation for boosting Serbia's economic development. The Energy Charter stands ready to provide support to Serbia through access to its expertise and in particular its model agreements for cross-border pipelines and electricity interconnections. In case of any energy flow disruptions Serbia has the right to initiate the Charter's Early Warning Mechanism.

The Secretary General noted that the Energy Charter Treaty provided a legal framework promoting cross-border pipeline projects, securing energy transit, managing relations between energy exporting, transit and importing countries, and, if necessary, assisting in the resolution of disputes.

It was noted that poor energy efficiency and high carbon intensity due to heavy reliance on fossil fuels were among Serbia's main challenges in the field of energy. Accession to the ECT and the Energy Charter Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects would extend to Serbia a policy framework which would benefit the sustainable development of its energy sector.