The European Commission Wednesday proposed new rules that would dramatically increase its oversight of energy agreements between European Union members and Russia and other non-EU governments.

Under the rules, which will have to be backed by EU governments and the European Parliament before becoming law, EU countries will have to inform the commission of their intention to start talks on legally binding agreements that are likely to affect the functioning of the EU domestic energy market, and they will have to keep it informed once negotiations have begun.

Countries will also have to submit any international legally binding agreement they have ratified that is likely to affect the functioning of the EU domestic energy market to the commission, the proposal says.

"The proposed mechanism is set to strengthen the negotiating position of member states vis-à-vis third countries, while ensuring security of supply, proper functioning of the internal market and creating legal certainty for investment," the commission, which is the EU executive arm, said in a statement.

The commission's move is expected to trigger tough talks with member countries, as many object to what they see as an intrusion into their own negotiating rights. They are also concerned that the confidentiality of the talks would be jeopardized.

The proposal is part of the commission drive to boost competition and integration of energy markets in the 27-member bloc and ensure security of supply, an aim that has often resulted in friction with Russia , on which the EU depends heavily for its gas.

Many of the EU's recent reforms seek to boost competition by forcing large energy companies to sell assets or free up pipeline capacity. Some of the EU's reforms are forcing Russian energy giant OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) to give up full capacity control in some of the pipelines carrying gas to Europe, and might also force it to sell some assets.

Last year, a proposed gas contract between Poland and Russia that included provisions on how the Yamal pipeline across Poland, which carries Russian gas to Germany--would be run, was queried by the commission on concerns that the accord wouldn't comply with EU rules, mainly because it wouldn't let third parties freely access and use the pipeline.

According to a broader, strategic document released with the proposal, the commission is also keen on being able to lead negotiations with other non-EU countries when the potential agreement would involve common EU interests, such as energy infrastructure, Oettinger said in a press conference.

"We are proposing that the EU would be able to conclude agreements," he said.

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