End of secret EU gas agreements

The European Parliament has adopted rules regarding control over gas contracts and oil supplies between EU states and third countries.

Prior to the entry into force of the new rules, EU countries are obliged to inform the EU about energy agreements with third countries after they are signed. Currently, contracts will be reviewed prior to their approval.

This could be the first step towards a real energy community. So far, some of the energy deals between EU countries and third countries have had negative consequences for other members of the community. Now this will change. Some suppliers, such as Russia's Gazprom, will have to be more transparent in their actions, some EU officials say.