Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-06-02-Speech-1-104"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-06-02"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Energy2
dcterms:Language	"fi"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20030602.7.1-104"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-06-02-Speech-1-1052
lpv:speaker	lp:Marjo Matikainen-kallström2
lpv:spokenAs	vice-chair; Delegation to the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee (EEA) (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 member_of_the_bureau; EPP-ED (2002-03-08--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-03-07--2004-04-30)3 member; Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Kansallinen Kokoomus (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, the energy reports up for discussion today must be understood as an integrated whole, which will have an important impact on the viability of the energy market in Europe. The European-wide energy networks will heal the market’s spine and skeleton. The liberalisation package will, moreover, improve the market’s circulation and digestion. Liberalisation must be continued and the network improved. In the first round of enlargement the new Member States must also be involved more fully. We have really had to wrangle with the Council over both issues. With regard to the energy networks, a compromise was eventually reached that will guarantee there is the necessary flexibility to amend Annex III, while at the same time ensuring there is sufficient parliamentary monitoring. Achieving this compromise has not been easy. The liberalisation of the energy markets is not any dramatic breakthrough, at least not from the point of view of the Nordic countries, although it is good that they are indeed being liberalised. This is definitely a step in the right direction. If necessary the Commission will probably make new proposals for further liberalisation of markets. Contrary to what some of our Socialist friends think they know, the free and open markets of the Nordic countries are functioning well. Freedom of choice for the consumer has grown, prices have fallen, services have improved and things run more efficiently. The market mechanisms have been working perfectly. It has to be accepted that prices can sometimes also rise in a free market. Rarely, however, are there situations where the same year sees one of the century’s driest summers together with one of its coldest winters. What is most crucial in the liberalisation of the energy markets is that unhindered access to the networks is guaranteed. Consequently, the clear unbundling of network activity and the fact that the tasks of the regulatory authorities should be sufficiently harmonised are two of the most central elements in this package. Without them we can forget the word ‘competition’ when we talk about the electricity and gas markets. Now is the time to bring the debate on the package to an end: the compromises before us are completely acceptable. The package is an essential, albeit inadequate, condition for a viable market. We are now establishing framework legislation, but its implementation must also be monitored. The Commission must be equipped with the proper tools to monitor the viability of the markets. It will also be crucially important to ensure there is sufficient investment in the future. Finally, thank you again to all those of you who have been involved in working on this package. This has been a long, challenging and arduous process."@en1

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