Task force on energy interconnection in the Balkans
A new "Task Force on the interconnection of energy networks in the Balkans" was inaugurated on 26 September 1996 by Mr. Christos Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for energy policy. The Task Force will be responsible for coordinating investment projects to interlink energy networks in the Balkans and for ensuring the effectiveness of these projects. The idea for the creation of such a Task Force was first proposed by Commissioner Papoutsis in October 1995, at an international conference on the interlinking of energy networks in the Balkans held in Thessaloniki. The group now established will work within the Black Sea Regional Energy Centre. Its work, which is foreseen to last for a period of one year, will include researching and listing the various energy interconnection schemes in the region and examining the nature of these schemes. This work will be carried out in cooperation with the public authorities in the countries concerned and with the organizations (notably the energy industry) and banks involved. It is intended to establish a list of priority projects, based on criteria outlined by the Commission and the countries concerned. The Task Force will be chaired by the Director-General for Energy of the European Commission and will consist of those Member States of the Black Sea Regional Energy Centre wishing to participate and of other Balkan States which are not members of the Centre.