The Secretariat has today released the Guidelines of Good Practice on the Implementation and Use of Voltage Quality Monitoring Systems for Regulatory Purposes. Jointly developed by CEER and the ECRB, the report assesses the prevailing voltage quality monitoring programes in Europe. This comprises the CEER member countries as well as the regulators of the Energy Community. Building on the findings, CEER and the ECRB have now developed a set of best practice guidelines. The guidelines aim to help the regulators and transmission operators in their monitoring tasks.

The Energy Community event calendar 2012 reflects the aims and objectives of the Energy Community Work Programme 2012-2013. In addition to the regular institutional meetings, such the Ministerial Council, PHLG, ECRB and the Fora, the focus of the planned workshops will be on the implementation of the third energy package and security of supply. The list of Projects of Energy Community Interest and the possible outline of the Social Strategy of the Energy Community will also be subject to several discussions within the Energy Community institutional setting in the coming year.

H.E. Ms. Zorana Mihajlovic, Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection paid a visit at the Secretariat on 17 December 2012. In her opening words, Minister Mihajlovic, presented the latest achievements in the energy policy of Republic of Serbia. Her Ministry has drafted an Energy Strategy, which is to be finalized in February 2013 the latest. She also expects the Serbian parliament to adopt a new law on energy efficiency in January 2013. The Ministry is additionally working on a new Action Plan on Renewable Energy. Minister Mihajlovic furthermore referred to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Serbia and Bulgaria on the construction of a gas interconnection three days ago. She also stressed the central role of security of supply in the Serbian energy policy.

Reacting to several requests by the stakeholders, the submission of proposals for Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI) has been extended to 31 December 2012. The decision to extend the deadline was welcomed by the 27th Permanent High Level Group that convened in Vienna today.

Yesterday the Energy Community Ministerial Council decided to extend Moldova’s deadline to implement Article 9 (1) of the Directive 2009/73/EC on common rules for the internal market in natural gas. With this decision Moldova has been granted almost four more years to implement the ownership unbundling rules in its gas sector. Moldova’s new deadline for unbundling the natural gas market is the 1st January 2020.

3 December 2012 marked the beginning for Mr. Janez Kopac’s appointment as the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat. Mr. Kopac was officially appointed for the period of three years by Energy Community Ministerial Council on 18 October 2012. The Director is responsible for the organisation’s policy definition, including the development and implementation of the Secretariat's strategic activities. Mr Kopac will also be in charge of the budget, human resources and communication of the Secretariat.

The Energy Community Secretariat opened the submission for project proposals for identification as potential Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs), in electricity, gas and oil sectors on 7 November 2012. It herewith repeats its call and invites project promoters interested in obtaining the “label” of Project of Energy Community Interest (PECI), to follow the guidelines (PECI-page) and to submit their proposals, via the questionnaires attached, to the email address: peci@energy-community.org no later than 10 December 2012.

Yesterday Mrs. Hiltrud Schuelken and Mrs. Aida Bučo-Smajić from DVGW visited the Secretariat. The two ladies were accompanied by Mr. Hajrudin Ibrahimović, IGT Sarajevo and Mr. Slavo Krajišnik, BiH Gas Association, President. The DVGW stands for German Technical and Scientific Association for gas and water. Together with IGT and partners from the region, the DVGW runs a regional project on “Harmonisation of technical regulation and legislation for gas sector in the countries of SEE”.

To pursue the further institutional development of the Energy Community, the Secretariat herewith seeks for qualified professional at the position of an Energy Market Expert. Qualified professionals are invited to apply via e-mail to recruitment@energy-community.org, quoting the title of the post in the subject line no later than 31 January 2013 (date of e-mail).

The 4th Oil Forum took place from 21 to 22 November in Belgrade, Serbia. It welcomed the Ministerial Council’s decision to implement Directive 2009/119/EC on maintaining minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products from October 2012. The Contracting Parties are now under a legally binding obligation to establish emergency oil stocks latest by 1st January 2023. Full and timely implementation of the Directive will now determine the agenda for the upcoming years.

On 23 November 2012, the Energy Community Secretariat organised a Workshop on Competition Law Enforcement in the Energy Sector. The workshop resulted in the signing of a Joint Declaration on cooperation between the Competition Authorities and the Energy Community Secretariat on the establishment of an Energy Community Competition Network. Building on the principle of voluntary participation and cooperation, the Network establishes a platform for promoting cooperation and discussion on competition law enforcement in the energy sectors. It subsequently serves the purpose of exchanging experience and developing best practices with respect to competition policy, legislation and enforcement of the EU competition acquis within the Energy Community. The participants welcomed the Network as a platform to increase the impact of competition law in the energy sectors through exchange and cooperation.

On 7 November 2012, a workshop on electricity imbalance settlement took place at the premises of the Energy Community Secretariat. The workshop centred on the initial findings of a Study on Development of Best Practice Recommendations for Imbalance Settlement. The study’s recommendations aim to help the Contracting Parties to address existing inefficiencies in their markets and move towards regional integration.

Today the Secretariat, on behalf of the Energy Strategy Task Force has launched the request for project proposals for identification as potential Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs), in electricity, gas and oil sectors. Project promoters of electricity and gas transmission projects, gas and electricity storage projects, electricity generation projects, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects, and Compressed Natural Gas, as well as storage facilities for oil, and transport of crude oil projects, are invited to submit information on their projects. The deadline for submissions is 10 December 2012.

The Energy Community Secretariat organizes the Third Energy Community Seminar on Competition Law Enforcement in the Energy Sector, due to take place in Vienna on 23 November 2012. On the occasion of the workshop, the Secretariat will set the basis for establishing an Energy Community Competition Network. The Network will serve as a platform for promoting close cooperation and discussion, exchange of experience and developing best practices with respect to competition policy, legislation and enforcement of the EU competition acquis within the Energy Community.

On 31 October 2012, the Energy Community Secretariat held a technical workshop on the retrofitting of combustion plants at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna. As set out in the Treaty, the nine Contracting Parties have a legally binding obligation to implement the Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) no later than end of 2017.

Monday, 22 October 2012, marks the commencement of a call for two tenders. Firstly, the Secretariat seeks for a Consultant to assist the Energy Strategy Task Force in proposing project assessment methodology and assessing the submitted projects. The "Study on the Need for Modernization of Large Combustion Plants", in return, aims to assess the region's readiness to implement the Directive 2001 /80/EC . The closing date for the two tenders is 22 November, 2012.

18 October 2012, Budva, Montenegro The Energy Community has adopted today the Energy Strategy of the Energy Community, which is the first step in the process of a streamlined and cost-efficient energy infrastructure planning and development in the region. It brings together the national strategies and plans of the Contracting Parties with the existing legal commitments of the Energy Community in the fields of energy, competition and environment. The Energy Community, similarly to the European Union, faces substantial investment needs in the coming decades to manage low carbon oriented modernization of its energy production facilities and infrastructure. The Strategy analyses three possible supply scenarios attributing estimated investment costs to each of them, and at the same time signaling both to the Contracting Parties and potential investors the magnitude of related benefits but also challenges. The Strategy, which is the first document being subject to public consultation in the Energy Community, will evolve in time reflecting any changes in the legal framework, as well as, new economic and political factors. It means that the document will be systematically updated.

18 October 2012, Budva, Montenegro Today, the 10th Energy Community Ministerial Council agreed on the implementation of EU Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of renewable energy (RES Directive) by the Energy Community. With the decision, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine commit to a binding share of renewable energy as part of their overall consumption in 2020. The shares for the nine Contracting Parties were calculated based on the EU methodology and reflect an equal level of ambition as the targets fixed for EU Member States.

The first meeting of the Security of Supply Coordination Group took place today in Budva, Montenegro. The aim of the freshly set-up group is to strengthen the information exchange and coordination of actions among the Contracting Parties. The initiative is guided by the principle that a common approach offers more benefits to tackle security of supply risks than purely national measures.

On the occasion of the annual meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community in Budva, Montenegro, the Secretariat will release its annual Implementation Report. The Report covers the period between mid-2011 and mid-2012. It focuses on the progress made over the past year, and the state of implementation of the acquis communautaire in each of the Energy Community’s nine Contracting Parties. The Report also includes updates on dispute settlement and investment in the Energy Community.

Mr. Vladimir Kavaric, Minister of Economy of Montenegro and Mr. Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, representing the Presidency-in-office and Vice-Presidency of the Energy Community, will chair the 10th Energy Community Ministerial Council meeting on 18 October 2012 in Budva, Montenegro. The ministers will debate an Energy Strategy for the Energy Community. With an aim to integrate national priorities into a larger vision, the strategy highlights synergies and identifies investment opportunities at regional level.

For two days, the 7th Energy Community Gas Forum gathered in Bled. It focused on the concrete developments, concerning key gas infrastructure projects. Representatives of Shah Deniz II Consortium, Ionian Adriatic Pipeline, Trans Adriatic Pipeline, Nabucco, LNG Croatia, Moldovagaz, Srbijagas and Gazprom debated actively with the participants. They were challenged to take stock and evaluate the projects’ importance for the Energy Community and their timely development. Also, the status quo of the gas markets, the difficulties faced by gas traders, the implementation of the Third Energy Package and security of supply and demand stood high on the Forum agenda.

The topic of Energy Community Presidency was elaborated during the meeting of H.E. Prime Minister of Republic of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Dacic, and the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, in Belgrade on 20th September 2012.

5th Social Forum took place in Bečiči, Montenegro on 11-12 September 2012. It was officially opened by Mr. Suad Numanovic, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, in the presence of Ms. Marie-Christine Jalabert, representing the European Commission. The main aim of the Forum was to review the progress achieved in the implementation of the national Social Action Plans (SAPs). These originate from the commitments made in the form of the Memorandum of Understanding in 2007. The discussions focused on energy poverty and affordability, including the new Energy Strategy of the Energy Community.

On 05 July 2012, Mr. Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, together with a delegation of 18 persons took part to Day of Armenia in the Energy Community. The Day of Armenia was organized in co-operation with INOGATE. Recalling Armenia’s Observer status since October 2011, the event provided forum for stock taking on the energy sector of Armenia, including its institutional structure, companies, legislation and development perspectives. The Day resulted in a list of areas where the Secretariat, together with INOGATE, can provide assistance to Armenia towards the implementation of the Treaty.

Mr. Oleksandr Danylyuk, Advisor to the President of Ukraine and Head of the Coordinative Center for Economic Reforms, visited yesterday the Secretariat with his team. The aim of the visit was to enhance information exchange between the institutions with a focus on improving the operational coordination between the Secretariat and the relevant Ukrainian authorities. The reforms along the Energy Community requirements – with particular focus on the growing role of the Regulatory authority, the new Electricity Law and the restructuring of the gas sector - were in the center of attention.

Representatives of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission, GNERC, visited the Energy Community Secretariat to discuss energy market developments and challenges in Georgia and the Energy Community.

Official delegation of Naftna Industrija Srbije, NIS, lead by the General Manager Mr. Kiril Kravchenko, visited the Energy Community Secretariat on 2 July 2012. Mr. Kravchenko briefed the Secretariat on the development strategy of NIS and its plans on national and regional level. Currently the company’s portfolio includes variety of energy related activities, concerning oil and gas, but targeting actively also electricity generation.

On 27 – 28 June 2012, close to 100 participants representing the ministries, regulators, industry and donors met in Athens to discuss the most pressing electricity issues in the Energy Community context. The forum reviewed the latest European Union developments in its efforts to build a pan European Electricity Market. There also was a panel discussion on the impact of renewable energy on the regulatory system. Whilst the next morning session looked for the ways to enhance electricity wholesale market opening, the last session promoted transparency, quality and efficiency.

On 18 June 2012, Mr. Besim Beqaj, Minister for Economic Development, accompanied by 11 persons representing the diverse Kosovo institutions, gathered with the Secretariat around one table. H.E. Minister Beqaj visited the Secretariat the first time in June 2011 – thus, the focus of the progress assessment was on the last 12 months. The Kosovo delegation included representatives of other state institutions and of electricity companies.

Mr. Vjekoslav Bevanda, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina opened on 14.06.2012 in Sarajevo the Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Energy Community. Structured as a whole day event, the Day provided a platform for the Energy Community Secretariat and top officials from state and entity level to discuss in details the performance in implementing the Treaty establishing the Energy Community. Mr. Mirko Sarović, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with Mr Željko Kovačević, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Republika Srpska and Mr. Erdal Trhulj, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina actively participated in the debate together with more than 60 representatives of the ministries, regulators, TSOs and business from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Friday, 15 June 2012, marks the commencement of a call for tenders on “Study Security of Gas Supply”. The closing date for the tender is July 06, 2012.

Parallel to the inauguration ceremony of the CAO Project Team Company, Mr. Vladimir KAVARIC, Minister of Economy of Montenegro, Mr. Dragutin MARTINOVIC, President of the Board of RAE and Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, signed today a Memorandum on Implementation Partnership.

Bečići, Montenegro, 13 June 2012 In the presence of Mr. Vladimir Kavaric, Minister of Economy of Montenegro, and Mr. Alberto Cammarata, Acting Head of EU Delegation to Montenegro, ten South East European electricity network operators established today the South East European Coordinated Auction Office (SEE CAO) Project Team Company. The TSOs of Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR of Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia Kosovo* and Turkey signed the company agreement necessary for the registration as Limited Liability Company under Montenegrin company law. In the course of the next 12 months, the Project Team Company will prepare the establishment of the SEE CAO company.

Today official delegation of NERC, lead by Commissioner Mr. Kostyantyn Telichko, visited the Energy Community Secretariat. The visit served the purpose of giving the Secretariat an update of NERC’s work along the development of the regulatory framework in Ukraine and defining areas of joint effort. Particularly the new draft electricity law and needed sublaws on gas stood at the centre of attention.

Yesterday Ms. Silvia Radu, President, and Ms. Tatiana Gotisan, Director from Union Fenosa Moldova visited the Secretariat. They were accompanied by Mr. Thomas Moser, Chairman of Danube Logistics, as well as, the Chairman of Moldovan European Business Association.

The need to reform and phase-out the prevailing price regulation regime in the Contracting Parties in order to achieve the objectives of the Treaty has been repeatedly underlined by the Energy Community institutions. On 5 October 2011, the Permanent High Level Group (PHLG) “reiterated its concern about persisting barriers to the establishment of open national and regional markets, including excessive price regulation.” As a result, the Secretariat was invited to draft a report which it now submits for public consultations to all interested stakeholders. The Report comprises an assessment on the treatment of price regulation under Energy Community law, a summary of the situation in the Contracting Parties and the Secretariat’s proposed recommendations for reform.

Today the second Montenegrin Day took place at the premises of the Energy Community Secretariat. Mr. Vladimir KAVARIC, Minister of Economy of Montenegro was accompanied by his 3 Deputy Ministers and HE Mrs. Dragana RADULOVIC, Montenegrin Ambassador in Vienna. The delegation amounted to total of 17 persons and included Mr. Dragutin MARTINOVIC, President of the Board of RAE, Mr. Vladimir BOJICIC, Director of EPCG, Mr. Ljubo KNEZEVIC, CEO of CGES and Mr. Vojislav SRDANOVIC, Deputy Executive Director of COTEE. Montenegro’s work on a bundle of by laws and its priorities during its Presidency-in-Office were at the top of agenda.

With an aim to collect stakeholders' views on the issues to be included in the Energy Community Regional Strategy, the Secretariat organized a public consultation from 2 to 23 April 2012. All in all, it received 30 contributions. In line with its commitment to transparent and interactive policy, the Secretariat has now compiled the answers into a summary document. The summary provides an overview and general impression of the answers submitted.

The key objective of the 3rd Oil Workshop was to outline the necessary steps for the extension of the Energy Community acquis with the oil stocks Directive 2009/119/EC. Thus, its aim was to give expert recommendations prior to the final endorsement and eventual adoption of this Directive by the respective Energy Community institutions. The 3rd Oil Workshop took place in Zagreb, 25-26 April 2012.

The study on Recommendations for Quality of Service Data Collection, Reporting and Auditing in the Energy Community, aims at the introduction and improvement of the quality of electricity service in the Energy Community Contracting Parties. Ideally, the national regulatory authorities would be in the position to ensure liberalization of the electricity market without any worsening of the quality of electricity service. To this end, the study provides recommendations for the quality of electricity service data collecting, reporting and auditing and the gradual development of the quality of service regulation.

From 2 to 23 April 2012, the Energy Community Secretary invited interested stakeholders to comment on the six questions concerning the Regional Energy Strategy. The aim of the public consultation was to collect the views of concerned stakeholders about the main issues to be included in the Strategy. The contributions were submitted in 5 stakeholder categories, namely public authorities (9), industry (11), consultancies (3), NGO (4) and citizens (3).

At their today’s meeting, the electricity transmission operators of the Energy Community reached a crucial milestone for the establishment of a Coordinated Auction Office in South East Europe (SEE CAO). The network operators of Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR of Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia and Kosovo* agreed on initiating the final steps for establishing a Project Team Company that will be responsible for developing the legal, technical and financial aspects for the start up of the SEE CAO within a year.

Social dialogue as a tool of better governance and management of change was the key topic of the workshop, which took place on the 20th of April in Vienna. The workshop was co-organized jointly by the European Commission and the Energy Community Secretariat. It centred on the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study on Social Dialogue in the Western Balkan Countries, commissioned by DG EMPL in 2009 and finalized by GVG in 2011.

Yesterday the first Day of Ukraine in the Energy Community took place at the Energy Community Secretariat. The aim of the event was to provide platform for discussion on the first outcomes of one year membership of Ukraine in the Energy Community and identify main further steps in light of the Treaty implementation. Led by Prof. Dr. Natalia Boytsun, Director for European Integration and International Relations in the Ministry of the Energy and Coal Industry, the Ukrainian delegation consisted of 24 decision makers representing the Energy and Foreign ministries, the Cabinet of the Ministers, as well as of representatives of the President of the country H.E. Victor Yanukovich. H.E. Ihor Prokopchuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, as well as representatives of the European Commission attended also the meeting. The delegation, additionally, included officials of the NAK «Naftogaz of Ukraine», SC «Ukrtransgas», NEK «Ukrenergo», AIM and DTEK.

Today, 17. April 2012, Ms. Tamara Babayan, Director of Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund paid a visit at the Energy Community Secretariat. Established via a World Bank loan in early 2006, the Fund enjoys good reputation beyond its borders. The aim of the visit was to exchange information and to consider possibilities for future cooperation between Armenia and the Energy Community stakeholders on the ground of the available best practice.

Yesterday, the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) published its Annual Report. The report not only highlights the growing number of regional investment projects under development in the Western Balkans, but also indicates the level of needed investment in the region. The WBIF project pipeline currently comprises a potential total of €10 billion worth of investments. All in all, the WBIF has approved the total of 31 grants in the energy sector.

The Secretariat herewith announces an internship in the Energy Community Regulatory Board Section for (mid) August – (mid) December 2012. The intern will gain first hand exposure of Energy Community activities in the coordination of ECRB activities and public relations.University graduates are invited to apply via e-mail to recruitment@energy-community.org, quoting the title of the post in the subject line, not later than 27 April 2012, 5 pm.

The 9th Ministerial Council established a Task Force and mandated it to develop a Regional Energy Strategy. The Strategy will take stock of where the region currently stands and where it is heading in the next decade. As an outcome, there will be a list of regional objectives and the main actions that are required to reach them, as well as a regional energy demand trend analysis. The aim of the public consultation is to collect the views of interested stakeholders about the main issues to be included in the Strategy. As of today, 2 April 2012, the Energy Community Secretariat invites the stakeholders to comment on the six questions raised in the Consultation paper.

The Energy Community Regulatory Board at its 19th meeting on 28 March 2012 elected Mr. Shkelqim Bozgo as new ECRB President. President Bozgo, Commissioner at the Albanian Energy Regulatory Authority, assumes office as of 29 March 2012 for a (renewable) one year term. “I am delighted by the confidence of my ECRB colleagues”, the newly designated ECRB President stated and expressed his understanding for the core role of the ECRB in the Energy Community process: “the small size of the Energy Community Contracting Parties requires a regional approach, if we want to successfully attract investments. The ECRB provides a tailor made platform for regulators harmonizing their rules and decisions across borders and developing common best practice solutions”.

On 28 and 29 March, the Secretariat’s paid its first official visit to Armenia. Following the Ministerial Council decision, Armenia holds an Observer status in the Energy Community since October 2011. During his visit, Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, Director of the Secretariat, was welcomed by H.E. Mr. Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Mr. Zohrab Mnatsakanian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

An expert team of the Energy Community Secretariat today visits the Ministry of Economy of Moldova to discuss the restructuring of the electricity sector in accordance with the requirements of the Energy Community acquis as well as draft amendments to the 2009 Electricity Law. The Secretariat’s experts will also monitor the progress achieved during 2011 in implementing the electricity acquis. The findings will be used for the Secretariat’s 2012 Implementation Report.

As a reaction to the adoption of the Third Internal Energy Package, the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB) contracted KEMA International B.V. to conduct a study on smart metering roll out in 2011. The aim of this project was to develop a set of best practice recommendations for rolling-out smart metering in the Energy Community (EnC), taking into account recent experience from the European Union as well as the specifics of Energy Community Contracting Parties. The study has just been released and is now available on-line.

A delegation lead by Mr. Alberto Biancardi, Commissioner of the Italian regulatory authority, visited the Secretariat on 19 March 2012. The Region’s key challenges ahead, in particular, in implementing the third internal energy package, realization of infrastructure projects and the Coordinated Action Office (CAO) as well as the elements of regional energy strategy were the catch words of the meeting.

The final report of the “Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community” is now available on-line. The overall objective of the Study is to support governments in their efforts to meet their commitments under the Energy Community Treaty. To this end, the study call for the efficient use of energy in buildings, as well as the implementation of the NEEAPs with respect to buildings sector.

Yesterday, the European Commission published a Call for Expression of Interest for the Position of Director of the Energy Community Secretariat on its website. The Director will be appointed as staff of the Energy Community for a three-year period, which may be renewed. Applications should be sent by e-mail to: ENER-ECS-DIRECTOR@ec.europa.eu no later than 19th March 2012 (date of e-mail).

A delegation representing the new INOGATE Secretariat, lead by Ms. Simone Rave, from the European Commission DG EuropeAid, paid yesterday a visit to the Secretariat. The INOGATE programme has recently undergone some restructuring. Operating on the basis of the Astana Declaration, INOGATE stands for a long term, permanent technical assistance programme. The changes now put the INOGATE Secretariat and the technical assistance under one roof. The INOGATE programme has been extended to new areas, such as statistics. The technical Secretariat in Kiev is supported by a network of regional office managers and country experts.

Yesterday, a delegation led by Mr. Michael Hoffmann, External Relations Director from Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) visited the Secretariat. Mr Hoffmann gave an update on the latest developments concerning gas deliveries from the Shah Deniz gas field and TAP’s involvement in South East Europe.

Yesterday, Mrs Evelyn Panis and Mr. Vlado Mandic, representing EVN Croatia paid a visit at the Energy Community Secretariat. EVN has two licenses and acts as the gas DSO and the local retail supplier in Croatia. Mrs Panis and Mr. Mandic provided the Secretariat an update of the latest developments in Croatian gas sector.

Within the framework of the Implementation Partnership, staff of the Secretariat have today been deployed to a mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Secretariat’s experts will meet with the representatives of the Energy Regulatory Commission to discuss the draft Market Rules for Electricity, draft Electricity Tariff Systems and regulatory developments in the natural gas sector.
For further information, please, contact, Mr. Dirk Buschle, Legal Counsel and Deputy Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, + 431 535 2222 24 or dirk.buschle@energy-community.org

Yesterday H.E. Mr. Galib ISRAFILOV, Ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to Austria, paid official visit to the Secretariat. He was accompanied by Mr. Shamil ALESKEROV, Counsellor of the Embassy, and Mr. Gulmirza Fahreddin oglu JAVADOV, who is the Director of the SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) Representative Office in Vienna. Following his recent accreditation, this was Ambassador Israfilov’s first visit to the Energy Community Secretariat.

The Energy Community Secretariat, upon request of the ECRB, commissioned a study on “Recommendations for Funding Investments in the Energy Community Gas Ring” in 2011. The final report of the study is now available on-line. The study examines the optimal framework which would attract investments needed to complete two sections of the Gas Ring. It sketches an overall approach for developing an investment framework appropriate to the conditions existing in both of these routes.

Following official invitation by the Hungarian authorities, the Secretariat paid an official visit to Budapest on 17 January. The visit included meetings with key stakeholders, including the ministries of energy and foreign affairs, the regulatory authority, business and academia. Two topics dominated the discussions: the different possibilities for the Hungarian authorities and business to get more actively involved into the Energy Community process and concrete cooperation in line with the EU Danube Strategy, where energy stands high on agenda.

Today Mr. Reinhard Mitschek, Managing Director and Mr. Christian Dolezal, Head of communication from Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH, paid a visit to the Secretariat. Mutual updates on the latest developments stood at the centre of the discussions.