COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2022/1002

of 21 June 2022

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the extraordinary meeting on 24 June 2022 of the Energy Charter Conference under the Energy Charter Treaty

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 194, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Energy Charter Treaty (‘the ECT’) was concluded by the Union by Council and Commission Decision 98/181/EC, ECSC, Euratom (1) and entered into force on 16 April 1998.

(2) Pursuant to Article 34 of the ECT, the Energy Charter Conference ensures that the objectives set out in the ECT are attained. It facilitates in accordance with the ECT and the Protocols thereto the coordination of appropriate general measures to carry out the principles of the Energy Charter.

(3) The Energy Charter Conference, during its extraordinary meeting on 24 June 2022, is to adopt: (a) an amendment to the Rules of Procedure of the Energy Charter Conference; (b) the withdrawal of the Russian Federation’s status as an Observer to the Energy Charter Conference; and (c) the suspension of the provisional application of the ECT in relation to Belarus and the suspension of Belarus as an Observer to the ECT,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on behalf of the Union in the extraordinary meeting of the Energy Charter Conference under the Energy Charter Treaty on 24 June 2022 in Brussels shall be the following:

(a) to confirm the proposed amendment to Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure;

(b) to approve the withdrawal of the observer status of the Russian Federation based on that amendment to Rule 7, justified on both of the grounds mentioned therein (violation of principles and failure to comply with any financial obligation);

(c) to approve the suspension of the provisional application of the Energy Charter Treaty in relation to Belarus, and the suspension of the observer status of Belarus.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 21 June 2022.

For the Council

The President

C. BEAUNE

(1)  Council and Commission Decision 98/181/EC, ECSC, Euratom of 23 September 1997 on the conclusion, by the European Communities, of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Energy Charter Protocol on energy efficiency and related environmental aspects (

OJ L 69, 9.3.1998, p. 1

).