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Developed gas market – the future of Balkans
Belgrade,
9 August 2004
South East European countries should seek to invest into the development of the gas market, given that the EU contends that it is a key element for the regional energy stability, along with increasing consumption and the expansion of resources, Tanjug news agency quoted Energy and Mining Ministry officials as saying.
Overall, the regional gas market is comparatively underdeveloped, with significant disparities in prices in different countries, according to Tanjug.
In the Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro – gas consumption is underdeveloped or nearly non-existent, while in Greece, the gas market development is in progress, according to the ministry sources, who also said that gas consumption in the Western Balkans can be increased through expansion of distribution networks, while the Eastern Balkans could boost it through increased district heating usage and higher household consumption.
The main incentive for investment in the gas market development is the implementation of EU regulations and an appropriate legal framework. South East European countries are expected to apply the EU guidelines stemming from the Athens memoranda of 2003.
South East European countries signed in 2002 the Athens Memorandum on the creation of a regional electricity market. In 2003, the memorandum was extended to cover the gas market as well.
At the time of signing, the Athens memoranda were not legally binding but the countries which approved it have stressed the need to create a legal framework, strong institutions, and a watchdog to oversee the functioning of the regional market.
In the Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro – gas consumption is underdeveloped or nearly non-existent, while in Greece, the gas market development is in progress, according to the ministry sources, who also said that gas consumption in the Western Balkans can be increased through expansion of distribution networks, while the Eastern Balkans could boost it through increased district heating usage and higher household consumption.
The main incentive for investment in the gas market development is the implementation of EU regulations and an appropriate legal framework. South East European countries are expected to apply the EU guidelines stemming from the Athens memoranda of 2003.
South East European countries signed in 2002 the Athens Memorandum on the creation of a regional electricity market. In 2003, the memorandum was extended to cover the gas market as well.
At the time of signing, the Athens memoranda were not legally binding but the countries which approved it have stressed the need to create a legal framework, strong institutions, and a watchdog to oversee the functioning of the regional market.
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