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
 

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.

Following a decision in Dec 2009, the Ministerial Council meets once a year. Moreover, the Presidency of the Council is held in turn by each Contracting Party for a term of 12 months. For the period of 1 Jan to 31 December 2011, Moldova chairs the Council meetings.  
 

Permanent High Level Group

The Permanent High Level Group brings together senior officials from each Contracting Party and two representatives of the European Community. It ensures the continuity of and follow-up to the political meetings by the ministers and decides, in certain cases, on implementing measures.
 

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.
 

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. The 1st Social Forum took place in Nov 2008. At its Dec 2008 meeting, the Ministerial Council decided to to implement certain provisions of the Treaty on the oil sector and to establish the Oil Forum. The 1st Oil Forum convened in Sep 2009.
 

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 Jan 2010 the Secretariat consists of a staff of 19 originating from 11 different European states. The Secretariat has its seat in Vienna, Austria.
 

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