13 Part VII: Structure and Institutions

Abstract

This chapter examines Part VII of the Energy Charter Treaty, which is entitled ‘Structure and Institutions’. Any signatory to the European Energy Charter may participate in negotiations envisioned in Article 33, ‘Energy Charter Protocols and Declarations’. A State or a Regional Economic Integration Organization may not, however, become a party to a Protocol or Declaration unless it becomes a Contracting Party to the ECT. Article 34 establishes the Energy Charter Conference, which is the principal decision-making body of the ECT. The Energy Charter Conference—at which each Contracting Party is entitled to have one representative—has political responsibility for the European Energy Charter, the ECT, and related instruments. Meanwhile, Article 35 is entitled ‘Secretariat’; The Secretariat organizes and administers the Charter Conference and its various bodies. Article 36 sets forth the voting rules at the meetings of the Charter Conference, while Article 37 concerns the funding principles. The activities of the Charter Conference and the Secretariat are funded by the Contracting Parties.