The EU policy in the energy sector is focused on reducing spending, increased integration of the European energy market, technological progress and on improving energy security. The ongoing EU efforts are aimed at adopting and implementing the package for an integrated European infrastructure in order to establish a common energy policy.

The Republic of Serbia has decided to contribute to the EU activities in this field by signing the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community, which came into force on 1 July 2006. The main objectives of the Energy Community are: creating a stable regulatory and market framework in SEE and the EU in order to attract investment in the electricity and natural gas sectors; to put in place a coherent legal framework for trade in power and gas supply in SEE and the EU; improving the security of supply in the SEE region; improving the environment, increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources in the region; developing a competitive energy market.

After obtaining the candidate status for EU membership, Serbia was given the opportunity to participate as an observer in the meetings of the EU Member States to develop the energy reference scenario.

Within the Serbian year-long Presidency of the Energy Community in 2013, the 11th Meeting of the Energy Community Ministerial Council took place on 24 October 2013. The 11th Ministerial Council approved lists of projects of interest to the Energy Community - 35 projects in total (13 projects from Serbia), with the call addressed to the contracting parties to undertake necessary measures to stimulate their due and efficient implementation; and adopted the decision to extend the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community by a further 10-year period until 2026.

In the context of the Ukrainian Chairmanship of the Energy Community, the 12th meeting of the Ministerial Council held in Kyiv, on 23 September 2014, adopted the Guidelines for the trans-European energy infrastructure project aimed at its better implementation and effective realization. The Ministerial Council noted that a major obstacle to investment was s a lack of realization and timely implementation of the acquis related to the Energy Community, which was why the Council proposed the strengthening of technical assistance to the contracting parties, especially in the implementation of the directives of the Third Energy Package.

Following the recommendations of the Council, and in line with the European integration process, the Republic of Serbia passed its Energy Law, in late December, envisaging implementation of the Third EU Energy Package, and significantly improving the environment for investment in the energy sector. This Law also provides for greater consumer protection. The legal provision on full access to the market for electricity and gas facilitates households and so-called small customers to choose their electricity and gas supplier, and also to have the option of guaranteed supply. The EU Third Energy Package has been applied in Serbia since 1 January 2015, under the Energy Law, in the areas of renewable energy, electric power and gas sector. In this way, Serbia has become the first country in the region to apply all these provisions.

For more information see the website http://www.mre.gov.rs