THE EU GAS REGULATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE LEGISLATION OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Recent trends in the European Union with regard to legal regulations in the gas sector, which have an impact on each member state, are directed at the liberalisation of the gas market. Even though the Energy Union was established, the Lisbon Treaty came into force with provisions developed on energy. Known as the Third Energy Package, this increased the competitiveness of the market. However, discussions in this field are still ongoing. The aim of the article is to assess the impact of this particular EU legislation on Czech law. To do this, an examination will be made of how strategic the gas sector is in this member state. Taking into account the country’s importance as a gas transit state and a state receiver, the role of the Czech Republic will also be discussed in the process of formation of a competitive gas market following the application of legislative measures in the sector.