USG INVITEES FOR SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF THE

UNCLAS ATHENS 002648 SIPDIS EUR FOR A/S FRIED USAID FOR BOB ICHORD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ENRG GR SUBJECT: USG INVITEES FOR SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF THE ENERGY COMMUNITY OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE, 25 OCTOBER: A/S FRIED, ADAMS, ICHORD, MEFFORD ¶1. (U) On October 25, the European Commission, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro and UNMIK are scheduled to sign the treaty to create the Energy Community for Southeast Europe (ECSEE). The treaty will create a regional electricity and natural gas market in Southeast Europe in order to facilitate expanded energy trade and investment, and enhance the security of EU energy supplies, including natural gas from the Caspian. ¶2. (U) The draft treaty, initialed in June 2005, calls for countries to comply with relevant EC electricity and natural gas directives, and eliminate all barriers to cross border trade in electricity and natural gas. The draft creates a single regulatory space for trade in electricity and natural gas for Southeast Europe, including creation of a regional regulatory authority. ¶3. (U) The EC invitation list includes the Presidents of the EC, EBRD and World Bank. Some Prime Ministers from Southeastern Europe have accepted invitations to the ceremony, Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis among them, as has Austrian Prime Minister Schussel. The British Embassy has informed us that UK Deputy Prime Minister Prescott is scheduled to attend. ¶4. (SBU) Embassy Athens has received the USG invitations for the SEEEC Treaty Signing on 25 of October. Washington Invitees are: Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried Coordinator for US Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, Thomas Adams Chief, Energy and Infrastructure, Bureau for Europe, Robert Ichord USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, Thomas Mefford USAID ¶5. (SBU) Embassy Athens believes the visit of Assistant Secretary Fried and Ambassador Adams provides an excellent SIPDIS opportunity to help advance USG interests and would like to arrange meetings with GoG officials should their respective schedules permit. Ambassador Ries would also like to offer the use of the residence for the duration of the Assistant Secretary's stay is in Athens. SIPDIS ¶6. (SBU) GoG requests confirmation of attendees participation at the earliest possible convenience. Please respond as appropriate.