The European Commission is taking steps to reduce the prospect of future claims by demanding the reform of the Energy Charter Treaty.

The traditional mechanism of investment arbitration between the investor and the host State has been under attack for some time now from a range of actors and for a variety of reasons.

Critics say the Energy Charter provides excessive legal protection for oil and gas companies, which can claim uncapped reparations from governments who frustrate investments in fossil fuel projects.

Interview en marge du Contre G7 en France.

There is a lack of consensus among EU member states as to the applicability of the Achmea Ruling to the Energy Charter Treaty.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline company has asked the Court of Justice of the EU to annul the amendments to the Gas Directive but Nord Stream 2 reserves itself this option of resorting to legal arbitration as well.

Albania, European Union, Georgia, Italy, Slovenia, Spain

The European Commission and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline company are heading toward legal arbitration in their dispute, with a risk of huge fines for EU taxpayers.

Le combat pour défendre l’intérêt public, dont font partie la santé, l’environnement et les conditions dignes de travail, doit être mené à chaque fois qu’un traité de commerce international et de protection des investissements est annoncé.

Behind the smiles and handshakes, the signature of the EU-Vietnam trade and investment deals - being agreed on Tuesday (25 June) and to be signed at the end of this week - have dire consequences for human well-being and our ability to prevent climate and ecological breakdown.