In a recent report based on an economic survey of the European Union, the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) warns that the EU needs greater competition in its energy markets to deliver lower prices to consumers and make energy supplies more secure. Specifically, the OECD said, "The network needs to be effectively separated from the generation and supply activities and national markets and should be linked together better to create regional or pan-European energy markets." Noting that there has been a tendency in the energy sector to protect national companies, the OECD pointed out that the most liberalized European sectors, such as air transport and telecommunications, have been able to deliver lower prices and better services to businesses and consumers.