PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REGULATION OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE NATURAL GAS MARKET IN UKRAINE

Petrychenko O. P. Principles of Administrative and Legal Regulation of the Functioning of the Natural Gas Market in UkraineThe article is devoted to the principles of administrative and legal regulation of the functioning of the natural gas market in Ukraine.It emphasizes that these principles represent fundamental provisions and ideas that have not only theoretical but also practical significance for the studied area.They form the conceptual foundation for law-making and subordinate rule-making in the sphere of the natural gas market's functioning in Ukraine, influence the content of administrative and legal norms, and determine trends and prospects for their improvement.Through the application of administrative and legal principles, legislative gaps in Ukraine's natural gas legislation are addressed, and discretionary and other powers of public administration bodies -responsible for implementing tasks and functions in the sphere of the natural gas market -are exercised.These principles also guide various managerial decisions made by such entities.It is underlined that the concepts of principles of administrative and legal regulation of the natural gas market and principles of the functioning of the natural gas market are interrelated but not identical.The principles of administrative and legal regulation of the functioning of the natural gas market are classified into: a) general principles -those that are typical for administrative and legal regulation of relations in the economic, sociocultural, and administrative-political spheres, including the natural gas market (such as the rule of law, including legality; the priority of human and civil rights and freedoms; equality of individuals before the law; mutual responsibility of the state and the individual; humanism and justice in the relationship between the state and the individual, etc.); b) special principles -foundational ideas of administrative and legal regulation that are specific to the regulation of the natural gas market's functioning (such as unity and differentiation; free choice and competition; ensuring national interests; protection of consumer rights; supply security; openness and transparency; stimulation of efficiency and innovation; integration into the European energy market, etc.).Special attention is given to the characteristics of these special principles of administrative-legal regulation of the natural gas market in Ukraine.