Brussels, 22/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on the sidelines of the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market, Charlie McCreevy, European Internal Market Commissioner, told the press on Tuesday that his services had written to the French authorities yet again on the matter of the Gaz de France/Suez/Enel deal. The Commission, which hopes to shed some light on the series of events in this affair, is therefore not satisfied with the first French response (see EUROPE 9154). The questions are “more or less the same” as those raised early March (see EUROPE 9144), diplomatic sources say, wondering whether an “inquisition process” will be launched.
Still speaking at the EP, Charlie McCreevy said infringement procedure might “soon” be opened against Spain on the subject of its decree to reinforce the powers of the Spanish regulator in the energy sector in the event of merger and acquisition projects (see EUROPE 9155 and 9146). The same day, moreover, the trade court in Madrid provisionally suspended the public offer from the Spanish company, Gas Natural, on Endesa.
Fulvio Conti, CEO of the Italian electricity company, Enel, defended his company's cause on Tuesday during a meeting with Neelie Kroes, Competition Commissioner. He called on the Commission to ensure “reciprocity” in opening the European energy markets and denounced the “protectionist” approach adopted by a number of EU governments. Rumour is rife concerning a possible Enel bid on Suez but the Italian side seems to be cautious in its approach. While the French daily, Les Echos, announced on Wednesday that such an initiative would be suspended at least until the Italian legislative elections on 9 and 10 April this year, other newspapers and press agencies cited sources recalling that a counter-bid may be made at any moment, although there is no need for haste. The Enel management board met on Wednesday to approve the 2005 results, and the Italian firm is to present its future strategy in London on Thursday, without, however, any announcement being foreseen.