Energy: rules for the internal market in natural gas. 'Gas Directive'

The European Parliament passed a resolution adopting some of the amendments in a report by Bernhard RAPKAY (PES, Germany)). The Council modified its common position enabling compromise amendments to be agreed. These include the following: - equality of access for EU gas companies to national consumers; - the parent companies of the transmission system operator and the distribution system operator will be able to approve the annual financial plans and set global limits on the levels of indebtedness of its subsidiary. The parent company will not be able to give instructions regarding day-to-day operations. This provision also applies to combined system operators; - the audit must verify the obligation to avoid discrimination and cross-subsidies is respected; - national regulatory authorities shall contribute to the development of the internal market and of a level playing field by cooperating with each other and with the Commission in a transparent manner; - Commission proposals to ensure the independence of distribution system operators should also concern measures to address issues of market dominance, market concentration and predatory or anti-competitive behaviour.�