EU Bilateral Investment Treaties Abolished - Can Romanian Investors Protect Their Businesses Abroad through Swiss Treaties?

Tratatele bilaterale de investiţii intra-UE încetate - Pot investitorii români să îşi protejeze afacerile de peste hotare prin tratatele elveţiene?

Matthias SCHERER, LL.M. Lorette GIACOMETTI, LL.M.

ABSTRACT

This publication explores the evolving landscape of investment protection for Romanian nationals post the European Union's ("EU") discontinuation of intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties ("BITs"). Faced with limited remedies within the EU framework, the paper advocates a strategic approach for Romanian investors: leveraging Switzerland's extensive BIT network. The paper assesses scenarios in which Romanian investors can utilise Swiss BITs, when filing claims against third States, seeking redress against Romania, seeking protection under the Energy Charter Treaty ("ECT") or the Swiss-Romanian BIT. The authors also explore the possibility to import Swiss BIT...