32It follows from the above that Directive 2003/55 allows Member States to assess whether, in the general economic interest, after 1 July 2007, it is necessary to impose on undertakings operating in the gas sector public service obligations in order, in particular, to ensure that the price of the supply of natural gas to final consumers is maintained at a reasonable level having regard to the reconciliation which Member States must make, taking account of the situation in the natural gas sector, between the objective of liberalisation and that of the necessary protection of final consumers pursued, as mentioned in paragraphs 18 and 20 of this judgment, by the Union legislature.
Source: EUR-Lex, © European Union, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Decision 2011/833/EU.