Brussels, 06/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, only Denmark, the United Kingdom and Finland had submitted their binding national energy efficiency action plans to the European Commission. In theory, the 27 EU member states had until 30 June 2007 to hand in their programmes on how to achieve the indicative target of 9% energy savings by 2016 (a target set in Directive 2006/32/EC on energy efficiency for end users and energy services). Asked by this newsletter about how the remaining 24 member states might be penalised, Ferran Tarradellas, spokesperson EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, said that after a certain time the Commission may decide to open infringement proceedings against failing member states. For the moment, however, the European Commission prefers to take a flexible approach to this essential energy savings dossier, a cornerstone of the EU's energy policy. Tarradellas said the approach was not to punish member states, but to help them. The Commission is hoping that other national action plans will be handed in over the next fortnight. (eh)