The European Commission does not have a specific energy mandate (such a mandate is, however, included in the draft of the European Constitution). A majority of the total group of those who completed the UNCMS questionnaire think that the powers of the European Commission on natural gas are adequate. Of those who think they are not adequate, only two favour an increase of those responsibilities. Those two countries are not (yet) part of the EU.

Most respondents are in favour of the European Commission focussing only on regulated activities. Some respondents from EU countries are of the opinion that the Commission might be involved in (some) other elements too.

A large minority of respondents from EU countries would support the Commission focussing on harmonising national TPA tariff levels. Only a few would be in favour of the Commission focussing on the national tariff level itself. Some respondents from non-EU countries support these minority views of EU countries.

Some EU countries would support a direct involvement of the European Commission in the coordination of some parts of the gas chain. One non-EU country would be in favour of that too. Respondents from some non-EU countries refer mostly to transportation, access to the infrastructure, storage and investments, when direct involvement of the Commission is considered.