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Naumov and Mernier discuss Serbia’s membership in Energy Charter

Brussels, 7 June 2006

Serbian Minister of Energy and Mining Radomir Naumov talked today in Brussels with Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat André Mernier on the possibility of Serbia becoming a full member of this international organisation.

Radomir Naumov

Author: Tanjug

In a statement to the news agency Tanjug, Naumov said that the Energy Charter is an important organisation which consists of 55 countries, including eight European countries and Japan, while Pakistan and Russia are in the process of becoming members.

He said that the Energy Charter is a powerful instrument to encourage foreign investors in the energy sector, considering the fact that this organisation regulates business on the basis of international law and international economic principles, offering security to all participants, especially in the energy trade.

Membership in the World Trade Organisation requires membership of the Energy Charter as well, thus at the first available opportunity the process of joining the Energy Charter was pushed forward, said Naumov.

At this moment Serbia has observer status in the Energy Charter, and Serbia’s activities linked to this organisation began in the 90s, said Naumov. He added that now Serbia has the strong support of the Secretary General in becoming a full member.

According to Naumov, becoming a full member entails a process which will not end before spring next year, because it requires harmonisation of Serbia’s legal regulations, accepting certain measures in the area of environmental protection and in general in the area of finance and investment.

He explained that membership in the Energy Charter is confirmed by a conference of its member countries, and added that the Secretary General himself expressed the wish that Serbia, as an important country in the energy sector, should join the organisation as soon as possible.

Naumov said that Mernier expressed his intention to visit Serbia and hold the necessary seminars and prepare the public for joining the Energy Charter, which will round up the process of international activities in the energy sector.