Why the Energy Charter Treaty still matters

Urban Rusnák, Secretary General of the Brussels-based Energy Charter Secretariat. (Energy Charter Secretariat)

Slovakia-born Urban Rusnák is the Secretary General of the Brussels-based Energy Charter Secretariat. In this interview he explains the role of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in protecting foreign investors in the energy sector.

Interfax: Can you name a few examples where the ECT has been put into practice?

Urban Rusnák: We are aware of more than 40 investment arbitration cases where the charter was invoked by the claimant. Seven cases involving private investors and the Spanish government have been launched since 2011. These relate to changes to subsidies...