Tasks by the Treaty
The Treaty institutionalised the Secretariat as a permanent body with the seat in Vienna, Austria. With reference to Title V Chapter V, it is the Secretariat’s responsibility to:
- provide administrative support to the Ministerial Council, the Permanent High Level Group, the Regulatory Board and the Fora;
- review the proper implementation by the Parties of their obligations under this Treaty, and submit yearly progress reports to the Ministerial Council;
- review and assist in the coordination by the European Commission of the donors’ activity, and provide administrative support to the donors;
- carry out other tasks conferred on it under this Treaty or by a Procedural Act of the Ministerial Council, excluding the power to take Measures; and
- adopt Procedural Acts.
In the performance of their duties the Director and the staff must be impartially and not seek or receive instructions from any party of the Treaty.
Administrative Support
Pursuant to Article 67 par. 1, the Secretariat assists the preparation of all institutional meetings within the process of Energy Community. The Secretariat also organises numerous conferences and workshops on policy issues that relate to the acquis. These include social issues, energy efficiency, environment, oil, statistics and competition. Annually more than 40 events are being registered into the Energy Community event calendar.
In addition to logistical support, the Secretariat prepares and drafts the key meeting documents.
Reviewing the implementation
Report: With reference to Article 67 par. 2, it is the Secretariat's task to review the proper implementation by the Contracting Parties of their obligations under the Treaty. Based on its assessment, the Secretariat submits an annual implementation report to the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community.
The Secretariat also drafts special reports monitoring the process at regional level.
Missions: Upon inivitation, the Secretariat conducts policy issue specific country missions to the Contracting Parties. In order to boost the implementation, the Secretariat started to conclude Implementation Partnerships with some of the Parties in 2011. It is also the Secretariat's task to provide regular updates to the PHLG about the implementation process.
Cases: Under the dispute settlement mechanism, the Secretariat, upon complaint or on its own motion, may initiate a case of non-compliance of the Energy Community law by a Party. Under such circumstances, the Secretariat issues an Opening Letter to be followed, as the case may be, by a Reasoned Opinion and Reasoned Request to the Ministerial Council.
