A workshop “Energy Community and Regional Security”, co-organized by the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, with support of the Energy Community (EC) Secretariat, was held in Belgrade today.

The event focused on security of energy supplies and the role of Energy Community, climate change and national security, discussing EC Treaty as a legal basis, market developments within the EC, investments, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and social dimensions of the EC.

The opening remarks were delivered by Chair of the parliamentary Committee on Industry of the Serbian Assembly, Milorad Buha; Senior RCC Expert on Infrastructure and Energy, Miroslav Kukobat; and Director of Energy Community Secretariat, Slavtcho Neykov.

The participants agreed on major challenges to be addressed in the energy sector: reaching cost-reflective energy tariffs to support new investments and energy efficiency measures, keeping regional approach, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources as the major tools to reach sustainable economic growth in the region. It was agreed to strengthen further contacts between the Serbian Assembly and the RCC and the EC Secretariats.

The workshop targeted members of parliament and parliamentary expert staff dealing with energy issues. It is the first in a series of events organized based on the conclusions of the regional workshop “Parliaments – Support to Harmonized Energy Reforms in South East Europe”, held in Sarajevo on 15 December 2008, in order to facilitate the lawmaking process and increase the ability of parliaments to oversee their governments in energy reform process.

More information on this event is available also at the websites of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Energy Community.