Brussels, 26/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Sponsoring a workshop on liberalisation of the electricity market and the impact on prices at the European Parliament on 19 October, French ALDE MEP Anne Laperrouze called for concerted action across the board from both Member States and industry to ensure greater integration of the EU internal electricity market and ensure a real cut in the price of electricity. Based on an economic impact study carried out by LECG for Air Liquide highlighting competition problems in France and potential corrective measures, the workshop examined the extent to which the electricity market has been liberalised and legislation to ensure electricity liberalisation actually leads to higher productivity and lower prices. Full opening of the market for private customers is scheduled for 1 July 2007, but the current energy (and electricity) price hikes are raising a series of questions. Laperrouze says that market liberalisation stimulated competition and leads to price cuts to the benefit of all consumers and the current price rises in Europe (a 5% rise for domestic customers and 16% for industry in 2005, and a 9% price rise for households and 31% for industry between January 2000 and December 2005) can be explained by the fact that the internal energy market is not yet fully competitive. To ensure greater integration of the common market, Laperrouze stressed the need to develop interconnection between Member States, establish an effective framework of legislation and genuine implementation and respect of EU competition rules. She also highlighted the importance of all market stakeholders being pro-active to ensure the question of electricity prices for big energy consumers is addressed. (eh)