Member States may decide not to apply the provisions ofArticle 4 with respect to distribution insofar as their applicationwould obstruct, in law or in fact, the performance of the obligations imposed on natural gas undertakings in the general economic interest and insofar as the development of trade would notbe affected to such an extent as would be contrary to the interestsof the Community. The interests of the Community include, interalia, competition with regard to eligible customers in accordancewith this Directive and Article 86 of the Treaty.
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