Director Kopač addresses Serbia’s Energy Policy Forum, highlights legislative pathway for the energy transition

On 19 February, Director Kopač addressed the Energy Policy Forum hosted by the Parliament of Serbia in cooperation with Heinrich Böll Stiftung and Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Mr Kopač presented the Secretariat's findings on Serbia's progress in aligning with the Energy Community acquis and engaged in a dialogue with Members of Parliament and other stakeholders. 

Putting the pace of Serbia’s reforms in a regional perspective, Mr Kopač explained decarbonisation driven reforms in other Western Balkans countries and stressed that Serbia is slowly losing its leadership position in the Energy Community. Besides highlighting the gaps in implementing the legislation needed to support the first energy transition – energy market liberalization, Mr Kopač urged policy-makers to recognize the true cost of coal and start adjusting policies accordingly. This includes the adoption of a climate law, a gradual CO2 tax and addressing the energy transition. If done right, these reforms can bring many new business opportunities as well as vast health and social benefits, Mr Kopač concluded.