The institutional setting of the Energy Community began to unfold with the 2002 Athens Process. The Treaty establishing the Energy Community reconfirmed the final structures of the institutions in 2005. As a result the decision making process within the Energy Community involves the following organs.
MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
PERMANENT HIGH LEVEL GROUP
REGULATORY BOARD
FORA
SECRETARIAT
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Ministerial Council
The Ministerial Council is the principal decision-making institution of the Energy Community. It takes the key policy decisions and adopts the Energy Community’s rules and procedures. The Ministerial Council is composed of one representative from each Contracting Party and of two representatives from the European Community. The Presidency of the Council is held in turn by each Contracting Party for a term of six months. For the period of 1 July to 31 December 2007, the Republic of Serbia chairs the Council meetings.
Role - Title V Chapter I of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community
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Permanent High Level Group
The Permanent High Level Group brings together senior officials from each Contracting Party and two representatives of the European Community, ensuring continuity of and follow-up to the political meetings of ministers, and deciding on implementing measures in certain cases.
Role - Title V Chapter II of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community
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Regulatory Board
The Regulatory Board composes regulators from each Contracting Party and officials from the European Commission. It advises the Ministerial Council and PHLG on details of statutory, technical and regulatory rules and makes recommendations in the case of cross-border disputes between regulators. The Regulatory Board meets in Athens. Its work is supported by four staff members of the Energy Community Secretariat.
Role - Title V Chapter III of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community
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Fora
The Fora have the task to advise the Energy Community. Chaired by the European Commission, a Forum brings together all interested stakeholders from the industry, regulators, industry representative groups and consumers. Their conclusions, agreed by consensus, will be addressed to the Permanent High Level Group. The establishment of the Fora reflects the process leading to the creation of the Energy Community. The Athens Electricity Forum, previously known as South East Europe Energy Regulation Forum, met for the first time in 2002. The terms governing the Gas Forum were established in 2006. In 2007, it was decided that Maribor will host the Gas Forum. In 2007 discussions on the possible establishment of a new Forum on social issues began to unfold.
Role - Title V Chapter IV of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community
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Secretariat
The day-to-day activities of the Energy Community are administered by the Secretariat, in particular by regular review of each contracting party’s fulfillment of its obligations under the Treaty and by initiating Treaty enforcement procedures. The Secretariat is also responsible for making sure that the Energy Community’s budget – to which all Parties contribute – is correctly spent and accounted for. Af of April 2008 the Secretariat consists of a staff of 16 originating from 9 different European states.
Role - Title V Chapter V of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community
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