Tasks and obligations

According to the Treaty establishing the Energy Community, the Parties to the Treaty have agreed to set up a legal and economic framework in relation to Network Energy.

1. With their signatures, the Contracting Parties have the obligation to adopt and implement the acquis communautaire on energy, environment, competition energy efficiency and renewable energy.
 2. In order to guarantee an efficient operation of Network Energy markets, the Contracting Parties have also agreed to set up a specific regulatory framework. To this end, the Energy Community Regulatory Board co-ordinates the efforts.

3. The Parties to the Treaty also pledge themselves to the principle of mutual assistance in case one Party experiences problems in the operation of its energy networks.
 

Parties at present

In 2005, the Treaty establishing the Energy Community was signed by the European Union and nine Contracting Parties. In 2007, Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union. Pursuant to the Article 99 of the Treaty, as well as the respective Procedural Act 2006/05/MC-EnC, their status was changed to that of a Participant.  

After having obtained the Observer status, Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey formally expressed their interest in full membership. Mandated by the Ministerial Council, the European Commission had the first round of formal negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine in late 2008. The first round of negotiations with Turkey took place in Sep 2009. After three negotiation rounds, the technical negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine on full membership were concluded in 2009. The Ministerial Council, however, made the effective membership subject to concrete legislative amendments. Whilst Moldova became a full fledged member as of 1 May 2010, Ukraine officially acceded the Energy Community on 1 Feb 2011. 
 

From each Party several representatives take part to the Energy Community process. These include above all the ministry in charge on energy issues, energy regulators and transmission system operators. As of 1 Feb 2011, the Parties to the Energy Community are: the European Union, on the one hand, and nine Contracting Parties, on the other hand, namely