Objectives

To gather the key experts in national and international organizations who play a role in policy and regulation in order to share views on institution building and energy policy at the national and regional levels. The experience of Central Europe, notably of the Czech Republic, can provide useful insight on the situation of South East Europe. This seminar was designed to foster co-operation between experts within South East Europe and outside the region.

The Seminar was  held at the expert level and focused on energy policies and institutions to implement them. The seminar concentrated on defining key energy policy tasks and approaches including institutional set-up. It did not, however, cover the content of such policies in detail.

Annotated Agenda with Presentations

10:00-10:15 OPENING 
Welcome and introduction: IEA, Czech Republic, European Commission (EC)

10:15-12:00 Session I: LESSONS FROM TRANSITION ECONOMIES: ENERGY POLICY AND CENTRAL ENERGY AUTHORITIES AS PILLARS OF REFORMS
The session will assess the major developments in European economies in transition, with a focus on the Czech Republic, and their experiences and lessons towards a market based energy system. The session will review the role of Governments in the reform process especially in developing energy policies and long-term strategies in Central and South East Europe and creating appropriate institutions to implement them.

• The Government's Role in Energy Policy, Regulation and Ownership/Operation: PDF Document and MS PowerPoint Presentation, Mr. Emmanuel Bergasse, Administrator for Central and South East Europe, IEA

• The Czech Experience: from Centralised State-Owned Energy System to Regulated Competition: The Institutional Set-up: The Roles of Energy Ministries Mr. Jan Poucek, Head of Energy Policy Section, Ministry of Industry and Trade (16  pages, MS PowerPoint, 127 KB)

• Development of the Czech Energy Policy and Institutions (1992-present) Mr. Miroslav Maly, ENVIROS, s.r.o. (14 pages, MS PowerPoint, 392 KB)

• Guidelines and Strategy for Energy Policies in Transition Economies Mr. Eugene Cross, Senior Scientist, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) (11 pages, MS PowerPoint, 56 KB)

11:15-11:30 Coffee break

• The Situation in Serbia and Montenegro (pdf, 201 KB), Mr. Aleksander Kovacevic, UNDP Serbia and Montenegro

• The Bulgarian Experience (1999-present) Mr. Vladimir Stariradev, Director- European Integration & International Relations, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (17 pages, MS PowerPoint, 120 KB)

12:00-13:00 Session II: REGIONAL ENERGY MARKETS AND REFORMS

This session will provide an overview on the EC policy with respect to establishing a functioning electricity market in SEE along the lines of the IEM.

• Concepts and Benefits from the Regional Markets in SEE European Commission, DG TREN, Regional Energy Markets in South East Europe

• Political Gains Stability Pact

• Infrastructure Issues World Bank

• Country Responses - Joint Response from Country Representatives

13:00-13:10 CONCLUDING REMARKS