Brussels, 02/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Energy Charter Conference, meeting in Sofia on 29 November, appointed Ambassador Urban Rusnak from the Slovak Republic as the new Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat. Rusnak will assume his duties on 1 January 2012, taking over from Belgian André Mernier.
The treaty on the Energy Charter, signed in December 1994 and in force since 1 January 1998, governs international cooperation among the countries of Europe and other industrialised nations, with the aim of developing the energy potential of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and ensuring the security of the EU's energy supply. The Charter, on the basis on most-favoured nation treatment for all its members, seeks to create stable, transparent conditions for foreign investors, to facilitate the transit of raw materials and energy products and to curb disputes between states and between states and investors. Although it has been passed by the parliament, the Duma, the Charter has yet to be ratified by Russia. (EH/transl.rt)