The European Commission has submitted an official complaint to Gasprom. Brussels is not pleased with the Russian gas company and the price policy it has been pursuing in Central and Eastern Europe.
REGNUM reported that accusations were brought against Gasprom a week after Brussels announced its decision to investigate trade policy of the internet giant Google within the framework of the Anti-Monopoly Commission led by the European Commissar for Competition Margrete Westager.
European Commissar believes that Gasprom occupies an inadmissibly dominating position in Europe. “Gas is a necessary raw material in our everyday life: we heat our houses and we cook food using gas and it delivers us electric energy. That is why it is extremely important for us to ensure fair competition at the European gas market,” said the European Commissar in the released communiqué.
Brussels believes that Gasprom strictly limits and controls the clients, including Poland, Bulgaria and Baltic countries. The ban on has re-sale is one of illegal bans, believes Margrete Westager. Gasprom’s actions lead to growth of prices and this is contrary to fair gas trade in Europe.
As soon as receives an official complaint, Gasprom is obliged to consider the suit and provide the response within 12 weeks.
Westager explained in the communiqué that the complaint has nothing in common with the current tension between Russia and EU, because of the war in Ukraine.
All companies present at the European market must follow the European rules and it does not matter if they are European companied or not, believes Brussels.