ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the Energy Community Treaty (EnCT) as an initiative aiming at the creation of an integrated energy market with third countries. It identifies the horizontal preference alignment as homogeneous because the member states had similar preferences for a common market in energy with South East Europe (SEE). The chapter shows why the distinction between interests and preferences is useful for PA analysis. It illustrates the main steps that led to the signing of the Treaty as well as the institutional framework and the decision-making process within those institutions. The chapter identifies the preferences of the Commission as well as those of the member state and explains how, although the Commission and the member states shared a preference for a common energy market with SEE, their preferences were ultimately meant to serve different interests. It suggests that, as far as the EnCT is concerned, the behaviour of the Commission can be classified as 'responsive autonomy'.
