Energy Charter Liaison Embassies

The Energy Charter Treaty Contracting Parties are providing political and diplomatic support to the expansion activities of the Energy Charter Secretariat, either in the form of direct engagement with relevant countries or designating Energy Charter Liaison Embassies (ECLEs) on a voluntary basis in targeted countries (as defined in Annex 3 of CCDEC201203). While the establishment of an ECLE entails no additional financial burden, it would enhance their political presence and prestige in the targeted regions.

Member Governments also contribute to the promotion of the Energy Charter principles, develop cooperation with ECLE host countries in areas covered by the Energy Charter Treaty and encourage these countries to accede to the Treaty.

The establishment of the Energy Charter Liaisons Embassies evolved into a robust and efficient instrument for the Energy Charter’s political support in targeted countries. The table below gives an overview of the existing ECLEs (four more are being currently under discussion):

* Due to security reasons, the work of the Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, has been temporarily put on hold

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Energy Charter Liaison Embassies achievements

The Netherlands

The Liaison Embassy of The Netherlands in Rabat has been assisting the local authorities and the Secretariat since 2012. As a result, Morocco announced at The Hague Conference that it will accede to the Energy Charter Treaty. The Energy Charter Conference is expected to approve the accession reports by the end of  2015. The Rabat Energy Charter Forum in February 2015 was organised by the Netherlands and by the Secretariat to consolidate Morocco’s accession to the Treaty.

Türkiye

Pakistan signed the International Energy Charter in The Hague conference and thereby expressed its commitment to the Energy Charter Process. The Turkish Liaison Embassy in Islamabad is providing support to the Secretariat in its communication with Pakistan since 2013.

The Embassy of Türkiye in Tunis also became a liaison Embassy in 2014. Ambassador Omer Girgin visited the Minister of Industry and Energy of Tunisia twice accompanied by the Energy Charter Secretariat's officials and the Ambassador of Germany.

Poland

Its Embassy in Libya was appointed as a liaison for the Energy Charter in Tripoli. Due to the instability in the region, the activities have been suspended.

Germany

Its Embassy in Tunis has provided support to the Secretariat to facilitate the communication between the Secretariat and the Government of Tunisia. The Embassy of Germany in Tunisia became an ECLE in April 2013. The Ambassador of Germany raised the Energy Charter issue during several meetings with Mr. Nidhal Ouerfelli, Secretary of State in charge of Energy in the Ministry of Industry as well as with the Minister of Industry Mehdi Jom’a who was later appointed as the Prime Minister.

The Embassy, in coordination with GIZ, organised several events with different actors in the energy sector of Tunisia. On the margins of these activities, the benefits of the Energy Charter Treaty for investment promotion and protection were highlighted for the private and public sector in the energy industry in Tunisia.

The Energy Charter Secretariat was also the co-orgaiser of ENERSOL Conference to which German Ambassador and GIZ were invited to give presentations on the Energy Charter.

Slovakia

Montenegro has ratified the Energy Charter Treaty and will accede to the Treaty on 7 December 2015. The Embassy of the Slovak Republic has provided essential support in liaising with the authorities and facilitating communication and follow up since 2012.

Serbia signed the International Energy Charter on 20 May 2015. The support of the Slovak Liaison Embassy has been instrumental in furthering the consultations for ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty.

Hungary

Vietnam has been  introduced to the Energy Charter Process recently through the efforts of the Embassy of Hungary.