Mr President, it is a matter of great sorrow that we have to point the finger at one Member State – one of the founder Member States of this Union – for not fulfilling its solemn undertakings, for being prepared to act against the laws of the European Union and indeed for taking the law into its own hands. It is with real concern that we also have to point the finger yet again at the Council of Ministers: while it knows full well that Member States are not fulfilling their existing undertakings, it glibly goes on producing communiqués of fine words, which advocate even further moves to liberalisation, completion of the single market, increased cross-border trade and fair competition. Only this month, after the Energy Council of 14/15 May, the presidency concluded: 'There is broad consensus ...' (does that consensus include France?) '... that the market opening concerning both gas and electricity should be actively pursued and accelerated.' The presidency also declared, on behalf of the energy ministers – did that include the French energy minister? –: 'A fully integrated single market for gas and electricity cannot be achieved without efficient cross-border trade.' Regrettably, we hear the hollow echo of those fine but increasingly empty words at Lisbon about making Europe the most competitive and dynamic economy in the world. And yet in so many critical areas the will is just not there at Member State government level to implement the essentials which have been agreed through all the Union's checks and balances. Why should France expect the other Member States to fulfil their side of the bargain and let France take over their markets and companies, when it procrastinates repeatedly or refuses to pay its dues to the club? Why should France, or any other Member State which acts in like manner, expect to reap the benefits of membership when it blatantly disregards its obligations? The irony is that France is not only disadvantaging its fellow members; it is not just undermining the very essence of the European Union, the single market and fair, open competition, it is also disadvantaging its own energy-using industries. It is also disadvantaging its own people, especially the less affluent, who are being denied the price and the service benefits which would flow from allowing competition and liberalisation of the gas market. Worse even than this, however, is the cynicism of the Council's communiqué after the May Energy Council. It did not dare to mention this impasse caused by one of those members actually sitting at the table, but glibly committed itself, including, I assume, the French energy minister, to further, bigger and faster liberalisation of the energy markets. Can we believe a word it says? Where stands the credibility of the Council and the whole European Union? At the very least, it is the Commission's solemn duty to uphold Community legislation and not to be browbeaten in any way by powerful and intransigent Member States or arrogant political forces. If Member States cannot be trusted to fulfil their obligations, then, sadly, the only option is to bring to bear the full force of Community law and to exact substantial retribution. Will the Commissioner please assure us that such steps will be pursued assiduously without any grace or favour?

Political group: PPE-DE