Critics
The treaty has been criticised by the European Federation of Public Service Trade Unions as it lacks a social dimension. The Energy Community acquis makes an explicit reference to public service obligations and customer protection. Whilst the Treaty may lack a legally binding acquis on social dialogue, the Contracting Parties have a legally binding obligation to foster social dimension within the process. In October 2007, the Parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Social Issues in the context of Energy Community. The Memorandum recognises that economic development and social progress are mutually linked and should go hand in hand. It also spells out the importance and the necessity to involve social partners in the reform process. Ukraine and Moldova signed the Declaration of Memorandum of Understanding on Social Issues in October 2011.
Environmental organisations from South Eastern Europe criticised the process in December 2008 as they believed that the ECSEE contains insufficient safeguard mechanisms to ensure that the well-intentioned promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy is not drowned out by the promotion of large and often environmentally harmful coal and hydropower plants. The Energy Community Ministerial Council decided to establish a task force in energy efficiency in 2007. The Energy Community Energy Efficiency Task Force has been operational since January 2008. It now operates under its 4th mandate. In 2009 the ministers also adopted the core EU energy efficiency acquis. In the area of renewable energy the discussion to adopt the "new" EU renewable energy directive started already in 2008. The Ministerial Council established a renewable energy task force in 2009. The ministers are expected to decide on the possible adoption of the renewable energy Directive at their next meeting in October 2012.
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