In the majority of the “old” 15 EU countries, the use of natural gas has a priority in governmental energy policy as the fuel of preference over other carbon fuels. The issues related to an increase in the use of natural gas are ranked as follows, indicating where such increase is expected to contribute significantly to the economy, a cleaner environment or a secure energy supply:

1. Security of supply (including diversification)

2. Reduction of emissions

3. Investments in the infrastructure

4. Privatisation

5. Creation of customer choice

6. Reorganisation of the market structure

7. Security of demand

In the 10 “new” EU countries, natural gas has a priority at the national political (energy) level in only a few countries. Investments and security of supply have the highest priority in those countries. In the non-EU countries, a relatively high number of countries have policy priorities related to natural gas. The priority percentage is higher than in the EU, even in comparison with the “old” EU countries. The priority ranking is almost similar. Privatisation has a lower priority in those countries. Security of demand, often considered from the angle of diversification, is more important.