A two-day initial meeting of the Regional Expert Network on Energy in South East Europe (SEE), which ended today at the RCC Secretariat in Sarajevo, discussed the energy policies in the region and its future activities, and produced appropriate documents in terms of its work plan and agenda.

The meeting gathered group of energy experts from the region with broader experience in energy policies and related topics. It discussed the role of the Regional Expert Network on Energy in addressing current regional energy issues, as well as future priority steps.

The purpose of the SEE Regional Expert Network on Energy is to establish close cooperation with the professional energy associations throughout the region, promote their role in expert education and learn from their practice in order to root policy discussions into actual professional practice. The Network will address specific topics from the energy policy agenda and sector policy interrelations, offer opportunities for informal discussion and the stage for policy harmonization.

Opening the meeting, Deputy RCC Secretary General, Jelica Minic, stressed that the network will also get engaged in investment promotion, transparency, competitiveness, investment support and public-private partnership related activities of the RCC Secretariat, as well as promote integrated approach in addressing emerging energy challenges by providing platform for active participation of other interested experts.

In addressing specific cross-sector issues, policy problems, global public goods and other relevant aspects, the Network may issue appropriate Position Papers.

The next meeting of the Regional Expert Network on Energy in South East Europe is expected to take place in September 2010.