Energy Charter and Protocol on energy efficiency and related environmental aspects

OBJECTIVES: - to consolidate the initiative and the central role of the European Communities by enabling them to participate fully in the implementation of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Energy Charter Protocol on energy efficiency and related environmental aspects applied by the EC on a provisional basis since they were signed on 17 December 1994; - to develop cooperation with the countries of central and eastern Europe and with the countries of the Community of Independent States; - to give investors greater legal security by giving them the benefit of national treatment, to introduce the obligation of transparency in the treatment of investments and to give consumer countries guarantees of supply. CONTENT: - the Commission proposes, with Parliament's assent, that the Council adopt the decision on the conclusion of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Energy Charter Protocol on energy efficiency and related environmental aspects under the EC Treaty; - this text has also been submitted to the Council by the Commission as a draft decision: . for assent under the ECSC Treaty; . and for agreement under the Euratom Treaty.�