Press Release: European Gas Regulatory Forum working on further integration of the EU Gas Market

The 13th meeting of the European Gas Regulatory Forum ('Madrid Forum') which was held on 16 and 17 October 2007 in Madrid, discussed important topics for the further development of a fully operational internal gas market linked to the recent proposals for a 3rd legislative energy package, in particular transparency, interoperability and new investments. The new legislative proposals presented by the Commission on 19 September, aim for harmonisation and improved cooperation of regulators and network operators at European level. Experience gained over recent years has shown that some of the core barriers for the development of the European gas market are incompatible rules at national level. The Madrid Forum, since the start of the liberalisation process, has served to address the practical implementation of the European legislation in the natural gas market.