[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 21.11.2007

COM(2007) 749 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

concerning the Energy Community position within the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community (Belgrade, 18 December 2007)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

concerning the Energy Community position within the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community (Belgrade, 18 December 2007)

The Ministerial Council of the Energy Community will meet on 18 December 2007 in Belgrade. The Commission presents to the Council an annotated agenda with indication of the nature of the different items; for agenda items relating to the adoption of decisions having legal effect, a proposal for a Council Decision accompanies the annotated agenda.

This annotated agenda follows the draft agenda of the Ministerial Council meeting.

ADOPTION OF "A" POINTS (NO DISCUSSION)

REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUDGET OF THE ENERGY COMMUNITY FOR THE PERIOD 01.07.2006- 01.01.2008 (For information)

The Commission will take note of the report.

Budget 2008-2009 of the Energy Community (For Decision by the Council)

The Commission will approve the Budget within the limits set in the Council Decision on establishing the European Community position within the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community[1].

Staff Regulations of the Energy Community Secretariat (For information)

The Commission will approve the Staff Regulations.

Draft Decision on the implementation of Directive 2005/89/EC, Directive 2004/67/EC and Regulation 1775/2005/EC (For Decision by the Council)

Following the decision taken during the last Ministerial Council meeting, the modalities of implementation of the above mentioned legislation in the Contracting Parties need to be detailed. The Commission will propose implementation periods as set in the Council Decision on establishing the European Community position within the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community1.

PHLG Conclusions (For information)

The Commission will approve the PHLG conclusions.

WORK PROGRAMME OF THE ENERGY COMMUNITY (2008 – 2009) (FOR INFORMATION)

The Commission will approve the Work Programme of the Energy Community for 2008-2009.

implementation of the Treaty (FOR INFORMATION)

The Commission will urge all Parties to comply with the obligations they have since 1st July 2007 and will ask that Contracting parties present a detailed roadmap indicating the steps they intend to take to comply with their obligation by 1st July 2008 at the latest. The Commission will also confirm its readiness to provide assistance in that matter, in the framework of the existing programmes and with the support of the Energy Community Secretariat.

INVESTMENTS (FOR INFORMATION)

The Commission will seek the approval of a list of projects of regional interest in the Contracting Parties as an indicative and non-binding document helping to promote a more regionally oriented investment planning. The Commission will request that the list be regularly updated in order to take into account the progress of the projects.

Energy Efficiency Task Force (FOR INFORMATION)

The Commission will approve the mandate of a Task Force on Energy Efficiency.

SITUATION ON SECURITY OF SUPPLY (FOR INFORMATION)

The purpose is to discuss the situation of energy supply in the Contracting parties during the winter 2007-2008.

Social Dimension of the Energy Community; Follow-up on the Social Memorandum (FOR INFORMATION)

Following the signature on 18 October 2007 in Vienna of a Memorandum of Understanding on Social Issues in the Context of the Energy Community by all Parties to the Treaty establishing the Energy Community, including the European Community, the Commission will support the establishment of a social forum to address social issues and promote social dialogue in the energy sector in the region. The Commission will express its readiness to chair the forum if so wished by the Contracting parties. The forum may be supported by existing or ad-hoc thematic working groups.

STATUS REPORT ON THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE ENERGY COMMUNITY (FOR INFORMATION)

D epending on the adoption of a Council decision authorising the Commission to negotiate the modalities of accession of Moldova, Norway, Turkey and Ukraine to the Energy Community and the related amendments to the Treaty establishing an Energy Community, the European Commission will present a status report indicating the steps to be taken in view to open the formal negotiations.

[1] Council Decision XX