Energy: internal market in natural gas, cross-border exchanges, access to the transmission networks

 The committee adopted the report by Esko SEPPÄNEN (GUE/NGL, FIN) broadly approving the Council's common position under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure, subject to a few minor amendments:

- the phrase "actual costs incurred", which is used in a number of places in the regulation, should be replaced by "costs which are efficiently incurred and transparent";

- the definition of "unused capacity" should be clarified by mentioning the deadline specified in the transportation contract;

- common network codes are required where there is more than one network;

-  the requirement that the agreement of the European Association for the Streamlining of the Exchange of Energy Gas (EASEE-gas) is needed in order to determine nomination and renomination procedures should be deleted, as this would involve vesting legislative powers upon a specific industry body.