Big European 5 Environment NGOs back calls for CSO participation in Energy Community High Level Reflection Group

Five of the largest European environmental organisations/networks have on 24 October come out in support of the demand by CSOs from South East Europe that they be involved in deciding the future direction of the Energy Community (EnCom).

The Energy Community mandate expires in mid 2016 and since it wishes to extend its mandate, it has been decided to set up a High Level Reflection Group (HLRG) to consider the future role of the organisation.

Climate Action Network, Central and Eastern Europe Bankwatch, European Environmental Bureau, Health and Environment Alliance, World Wide Fund for Nature (MedPo), all support an open letter (attached) to Energy Commissioner Oettinger, Minister Mihajlović as President of the EnCom Ministerial Council and the EnCom Secretariat Director Kopač, requesting the formal inclusion of CSOs in the HLRG when the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community meets today 24th of October in Belgrade.

Garret Tankosić-Kelly of SEE Change Net stated: “We are delighted with this support from such prestigious European ‘Green’ groups and we hope that their influence will help sway the decision of the EnCom Ministerial Council today in favour of much greater involvement of CSOs from the region.”

energjia.al, 25.10.2013