Judgment_paragraph 34 · GRDF SA v Eni Gas & Power France SA and Others (C-236/18)

34As regards the aim of Directive 2009/73, it is to pursue the achievement of an internal market in natural gas that is entirely and effectually open and competitive and in which all consumers can freely choose their suppliers and all suppliers can freely supply their products to their customers (see, to that effect, judgment of 7 September 2016, ANODE, C‑121/15, EU:C:2016:637, paragraph 26). To that end, as it is apparent from Article 1 thereof, that directive aims to establish common rules on transmission, distribution, supply and storage of natural gas (see, to that effect, order of 14 May 2019, Acea Energia and Others, C‑406/17 to C‑408/17 and C‑417/17, not published, EU:C:2019:404, paragraph 54). In that regard, recitals 4, 6, 25 and 40 of that directive disclose the wish of the EU legislature to ensure non-discriminatory access to gas distribution systems (see, to that effect, judgment of 22 October 2013, Essent and Others, C‑105/12 to C‑107/12, EU:C:2013:677, paragraph 65).