22 June 2007

In accordance to the agreed INOGATE working programme 2006-2007 and in order to meet the objectives set out during the Astana Declaration, the INOGATE Technical Secretariat is organising with the support of the European Commission the 2^nd event of the INOGATE working programme that is the 2-days Round-table “Why energy market convergence makes good sense” that is scheduled to take place in Brussels on 26-27June 2007.

This 2-day Round Table in Brussels aims to present the latest energy policy objectives, to explain the reasons that the process in converging the energy markets is needed, to present which will be the benefits from the convergence procedure, to present the general European legislative framework relevant to the energy sector and to give some successful stories of energy markets convergence

In this context this event will contribute to the achievement of the following goals:

▪       improve national energy regulation in member countries,

▪       foster development of stable energy regulators with autonomy and authority  and to improve cooperation among energy regulators.

▪       increase communication and the exchange of information, research and experience among members and increase access to energy regulatory information and experience around the world and promote opportunities for training.

The INOGATE Technical Secretariat has invited important European associations, namely, the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) , the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA), EUROGAS, EURELECTRIC and UNICE. 

The participants in the Round table are high level excecutives from the energy Ministries and the regulatory authorities of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

As such this event will provide an open forum of discussions and exchanges between energy regulators from the EU and the CIS countries with a view of convergence of the energy markets of partner countries with those of the EU. ERRA regulators and other private institutions will provide hands-on experience on regulatory issues with a view in enhancing international cooperation with our counterparts elsewhere.

For more information on the EC Energy Conference results, please contact the INOGATE Secretariat:

INOGATE Technical Secretariat Kyiv

26/28 Koudriavska Str., Kyiv 04053, Ukraine

Tel: +380.44.2302754, Fax: +380.44.2302753

e-mail: secretariat.kiev@inogate.org