On 10 October my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State attended the Energy Council which agreed a common position on the Commission's third package of measures on the internal market. Since then the Presidency has been in negotiation with the European Parliament and the Commission to agree a final text.
The representatives of the different institutions reached agreement at the end of March and we expect the legislation to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council this summer. Member states will then have eighteen months to comply with the new requirements.
The deal should improve the functioning of EU energy markets, encourage the investments needed for secure and sustainable energy supplies, protect consumers and promote energy efficiency.