Turkey and Poland designate Energy Charter Liaison Embassies

Two new Energy Charter Liaison Embassies (ECLEs) have been established in line with the Energy Charter's expansion and outreach policy. The Embassies of longstanding Energy Charter members have taken on the ECLE role: the Embassy of Turkey in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Embassy of Poland in Tripoli, Libya. Earlier this year, three more ECLEs were set up: by the Netherlands in Morocco, by Germany in Tunisia and by the Slovak Republic in Montenegro.

The Secretariat is grateful for Turkey's assistance with Pakistan's ongoing preparations for accession to the Energy Charter Treaty, particularly to Amb. Babur Hizlan and designated officer Mrs. Burcu Toksabay in Islamabad for their personal efforts. The Secretariat is also grateful for Poland's role in involving Libya in the Energy Charter Process, notably to Amb. Piotr Ciećwierz and his staff in Tripoli.

Pakistan is an Energy Charter observer and Libya is one of the countries targeted by the Charter's outreach policy. The newly set up liaison embassies will serve the purpose of facilitating the accession of Pakistan and Libya to the Energy Charter Treaty.

Background information

The objective of the Charter's expansion and outreach policy is the growth of the geographic coverage of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in the mutual interests of current ECT members and potential acceding states. The implementation of this policy is considered the shared responsibility of ECT members and the Energy Charter Secretariat.

With the Secretariat's assistance, ECT members provide their political support, either in the form of direct engagement with relevant countries or designating Energy Charter Liaison Embassies on a voluntary basis. Member governments contribute to the promotion of Charter principles, develop cooperation with ECLE host countries in areas covered by the ECT and encourage these countries to accede to the Treaty.