Liberalisation of the EU Gas Market – Case Study on Energy Community

The Energy Community (EC) and the creation of a gas ring in the South-East Europe region, are often referred to as examples of the European Union’s approach external energy relations with the third countries. The paper aims to answer the question, what is characteristic of the EU approach to third countries in the gas sector industry and also what are its weaknesses in light of existence of the EC? The paper also seeks to contribute to the debate regarding the third liberalisation package principles the EC countries as the model example of the European Union soft power application.