Gazprom continues battle with the European Commission could lead to the courts

The proposals from Gazprom, through which they were ready to make concessions in exchange for the termination of the antimonopoly investigation, hasn’t suited the European Commission. The EU Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia stated that Gazprom didn’t agree to accede Brussels’ demands in key issue – pricing. Since this issue is fundamental for both parties, it can be expected that the European Commission will accuse the Russian company in the coming weeks. According to the Kommersant, Gazprom is preparing to challenge in the courts.

The European Commission has considered Gazprom’s proposals on the termination of antimonopoly investigation and decided that the monopoly must make further concessions in pricing, the EU Commissioner for Competition, Joaquin Almunia stated. The regulator suspects Gazprom of the restriction of free gas transportation in member states of the EU in Eastern Europe, the prevention of other sources of supplies, as well as in unfair pricing. “We received good comments on two of three issues that may open a way for formal obligations, but not concerning prices,” – Almunia stated to the Reuters. Gazprom declined to comment.