Publication

This paper explains the Energy Charter’s political role and weaknesses by looking at the entire legal process in its political and historical context. The 2009 gas crisis between Russia and the Ukraine and a number of political declarations on the need for a new energy transit regime brought the Energy Charter Treaty back to the limelight. But the author argues that in both Russia and Europe many analysts consider the Energy Charter to be either outdated or stillborn. A Russian proposal to create a 'New Energy Charter' added further confusion to the issue of a multilateral energy regime.