Natural gas: common rules for the internal market

The Commission upholds the common position which in general is in line with its amended proposal. It will gradually open the natural gas market to more competition, while ensuring the fulfilment of public service obligations and guaranteeing reasonable safeguards for operators from possible economic and financial difficulties deriving from take-or-pay commitments. The Commission regrets, however, that distributors will not in all cases be fully eligible to participate in the new market arrangements. �