Energy Charter Treaty amended to reflect changes in energy trading
A Council Decision approving amendments to the trade-related provisions of the 1994 Energy Charter Treaty, has now been published in the Official Journal. The text of the amendment to these provisions, agreed within the Energy Charter International Conference on 24 April 1998, takes into account recent developments in trade, especially in the light of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, and the subsequent launch of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The amendments also extend the provisions of the Treaty to cover not only trade in energy materials and products, but also energy-related equipment. A full list of the types of equipment covered is provided in an annex, and includes equipment such as aluminium containers for compressed or liquefied gas, steam and other vapour turbines, as well as motor vehicles for the transport of goods.