US embassy cable - 05ATHENS2648

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.