"Over the last decade, much progress has been made in terms of a European internal energy market explains Commissioner Andris Piebalgs about the latest measures taken by the EU Executive in this sphere . Now, we have to complete the process and make sure the benefits of such market are real, effective and accessible to anyone concerned, both individuals and businesses". The EU Commission submitted several proposals: firstly, they wish "the production/distribution of energy as well as the ownership of the energy grids may be broken up"; the law package includes "protective measures to make sure, if they want to acquire a significant shareholding in or control over a EU grid, the companies of the third countries will have to prove they can comply with the break-up regulations" which are binding on the EU companies. The new regulations also refer to the simplification of the across-the-border exchange of energy, the promotion of across-the-border cooperation and investments. Finally they aim at strengthening solidarity: according to the EU Commission, "by bringing the national markets closer to each other, the member states will be able to help each other in the event of a threat to the safety of energy supplies".
