Brussels, 19/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - The day after a third trilogue, rapporteurs on the 3rd legislative package for liberalisation of the internal market for electricity and gas described their last discussions with the Council and Commission as “constructive”. The five rapporteurs of the European Parliament were: Eluned Morgan (PES, UK) for the “electricity” directive, Maria Romano La Russa (UEN, Italy) for the “gas” directive, Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP-ED, Spain) for the “electricity” regulation, Atanas Paparizov (PES, Bulgaria) for the “gas” regulation and Giles Chichester (EPP-ED, UK) for the regulation on the agency for regulatory cooperation. Second reading discussions had been bogged down in recent weeks essentially stumbling over the thorny question of ownership unbundling of production/distribution activities and energy transport/operator networks but also on the “third country clause”, equal treatment, national regulatory authorities and the agency for the cooperation of national energy regulators. On the Czech EU Presidency's side, assurance has been given that negotiations are moving forward on matters concerning the strengthening of powers and the independence of regulators, crossborder cooperation, energy consumers' rights, the role of the Agency and the third-country clause. However, on the Parliament's side, it is confirmed that the question of effective unbundling is the greatest obstacle. We would point out that, although the Parliament took a stance at first reading in favour of ownership unbundling for the electricity sector and for a more flexible solution in the gas sector, the Council reached a compromise in June providing for an alternative to ownership unbundling in both sectors, the ITO or independent transport operator model. Three-way negotiations will follow in coming weeks, with a new trilogue within two weeks before vote in energy committee on 31 March and a plenary vote during the 21/24 April session. When questioned by EUROPE on the possibility of an agreement being reached by March, the spokesman for Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, Ferran Tarradellas, expressed “confidence” on Thursday. “Negotiations are difficult”, he explained, “but it is in the interest of the three institutions to reach an agreement as all market stakeholders are impatient to have a clear legislative framework for making the necessary investment to ensure EU supply security”. “I hope so”, said Martin Øiman, when the same question was put to him on the sidelines of the Energy Council. (E.H./transl.jl)