A Russian perspective on the Energy Charter Treaty

Summary:

The recent gas crisis between Russia and the Ukraine and a number of political declarations on the need for a new energy transit regime have brought the Energy Charter Treaty back to the limelight. In both Russia and Europe many analysts consider the Energy Charter to be either outdated or born dead. Moreover, a recent Russian proposal to create a ‘New Energy Charter’ has added further confusion to the issue of a multilateral energy regime.

This ARI aims to explain the Energy Charter’s political role and weaknesses by looking at the entire legal process in its political and historical context.