Brussels, 15/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs, is pleased with the progress made by the Serbian government in the liberalisation of the gas and electricity sectors. Together with Serbian energy Minister Radomir Naumov, Mr Piebalgs on Thursday took stock of the reforms undertaken by Serbia when it ratified the treaty instituting the Energy Community of South-Eastern Europe, in Athens on 25 October (EUROPE 9057). This treaty, which links the EU to south-eastern Europe, aims to reinforce the economic and political stability of the region and to offer these countries more efficient regional mechanisms and mutual assistance measures, and also to fight "energy poverty", by guaranteeing them energy supply at affordable prices. To this effect, the signatory countries of south-eastern Europe will, for their part, take on the Community acquis on energy, the environment and competition. "I believe that the results will soon make themselves felt (...), bringing with them greater confidence for investments and better services for the citizens", said Mr Piebalgs, commenting on the reform programme presented to him by his opposite number. Mr Naumov, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the meeting. On the issue of whether the Commission is in favour of the privatisation of certain segments of the Serbian energy market, Mr Piebalgs replied that this issue was entirely down to the Serbian authorities. According to Mr Piebalgs, Serbia has taken initiatives which are "necessary for a good reform", and that these initiatives are sufficient in the eyes of the Union.