According to the European Commission Communication, Gazprom has 12 weeks to refer to sent him to the statement of objections.
– The Commission will fully respect the rights of the defense and Gazprom will carefully consider his comments before the decision is taken – The EC said, stressing that the wording of objections does not prejudge the final result of the case.
The allegations concern among unfair pricing practices
Commission criticizes Russia’s Gazprom, in relation to customers in Central and Eastern Europe unfair pricing practices are used, make the supply of gas from the control of the transmission infrastructure and prohibits the re-export of gas.
Commission European indicates that Gazprom is the dominant supplier of gas in many countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Commission considers that the Russian company affects competition in the gas market in eight of them: Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia.
Commission alleges consumers Gazprom imposing territorial restrictions, such as a ban on the export of gas or clauses requiring gas consumption in a particular territory.
– These territorial restrictions may result in higher gas prices and allow Gazprom to unfair pricing policies in five Member States (Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland), downloading of wholesale prices were significantly higher from the cost of Gazprom or comparable reference prices – currently in the Commission communication.
According to the Commission, the Russian company may use a dominant position on the Polish and Bulgarian market, making the supply of gas to these countries from obtaining commitments related to sales of the transmission infrastructure. – For example, the gas supply was conditional on the investment in the pipeline project promoted by Gazprom or the consent of Gazprom to strengthen its control over the pipeline – in the communication of the European Commission.
In the Polish case, the Commission states that Gazprom has conditioned the delivery of gas to maintain control over Yamal pipeline. – The gas pipeline is one of the major roads that gas from suppliers other than Gazprom could reach the Polish market – currently in the Commission’s report.
KE: the case against Gazprom is not a political
European Commissioner for. Competition Policy Margrethe Vestager stressed Wednesday that the case against Gazprom is not political in nature.
She noted that the formal procedure against the Russian giant has been initiated prior to the conflict in Ukraine.
European Commission presented on Wednesday the formal charges against the Russian company Gazprom for abuse of monopoly position on the gas market in Central and Eastern Europe. Brussels believes that the Russian giant breaking EU law.
– This is not a political issue; (…) We have similar issues – said EU Commissioner. Vestager cited examples proceedings against companies with significant state or state-owned, and Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD, a French company EDF and Italian ENEL.
Commissioner recalled that the formal procedure to Gazprom began in 2012, therefore before the conflict began Ukraine.
– From my point of view, it is a matter of competition – summed Vestager.
Gazprom responds to allegations
In response to the Commission’s objections European Gazprom said on Wednesday that his actions in the EU are in line with current standards and are not contrary to law. The Russian company found to be unsubstantiated accusations Commission.
– Gazprom strictly follows the rules of international law and the local force in the countries in which it does business. Gazprom’s business practices in the EU market, including those relating to gas pricing, are consistent with the standards observed in other manufacturers and exporters of gas – company noted in a statement.
At the same time, Gazprom assured that counts on an agreement with the European Commission and amicable solution to the disputed case on the “intergovernmental”. The company also notes that “was created outside the jurisdiction of the EU and operates under Russian law with regard to socially important function and status controlled by the government of the strategic business entity.”
A fine to the Russian concern
One of the EU officials told Polish Radio that the decision on the formal statement of objections, which was announced on Wednesday, was ready last year, but then for political reasons was stopped. Accelerated action new Commissioner responsible for competition, Dane – Margrethe Vestager.
If the allegations against Gazprom confirmed, the Commission may punish the Russian company fined up to 10 percent of its annual revenue.
The wording of the allegations delayed by the conflict in Ukraine
The investigation against Gazprom ws. alleged monopolistic practices in Central and Eastern Europe began in September 2012. European Commission started preparing to issue a statement of objections (statement of objections) as early as 2013., but then formulate objections was delayed by the conflict in Ukraine.
Commission had suspicions that Gazprom gas market segmenting, hindering the free flow of gas between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Also examined whether the company has not prevented the diversification of gas supplies to the region, and that does not impose clients (countries or regions) unfair prices by linking them to a fixed formula, the price of oil. Such activities may be considered to be harmful to consumers and lead to the deterioration of security of supply.
Unannounced visits of inspectors KE
Starting investigation was the result of unannounced visits to the European Commission inspectors in 20 companies from 10 countries of the EU located in Central and Eastern Europe. Visits were held in companies involved in the supply, transmission and storage of gas supplied, among others by Gazprom. Inspections took place in September 2011, and the inspectors will visit, among others the Polish PGNiG, buyer gas from Gazprom, and the state gas pipeline operator Gaz-System transmission.
Commission explained that one of the reasons for initiating the antitrust proceedings against Gazprom was to maintain the high gas prices in Central and Eastern Europe, also in Poland, despite the crisis and the decline in Western Europe.
The lawsuit Polish PGNiG
Buyer blue fuel from Gazprom Polish PGNiG filed in February 2012. at the Court of Arbitration in Stockholm lawsuit against Gazprom and his company Gazprom Export, asking it to change the rules for setting gas prices. Finally, Gazprom agreed to amend the terms and PGNiG withdrew the lawsuit. However, the decision of the European Commission may have an impact on the ongoing negotiations with the Polish company Gazprom.
possibility of talks gave so. negotiating window, which opened in November last. year. This term has been agreed two years ago, when the PGNiG and Gazprom concluded an annex to the Yamal contract. The window is open for half a year, so to May this year. companies have the time I get on.
PGNiG negotiates with Gazprom gas prices & gt; & gt; & gt;
Experts point out that while in the public domain does not no official information on how much the Yamal contract is indexed to the price of oil, then some part of the price you would pay for gas, PGNiG, depends on the average price of oil over the past 9 months.
The subject of the investigation to the European Commission Gazprom is also a clause in certain contracts between Gazprom and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which prohibits the re-export of gas transported from Russia. Such a clause in the long-term gas contract with Russia abolished Poland during the negotiations of gas in 2010., Which was involved in the European Commission.
Bloomberg: Gas price drop next year by 30 percent.
Source: Bloomberg / x-news
Experts on charges Gazprom severe financial penalty not escape
Ends dictate Russian company in Europe, Gazprom is waiting severe financial penalty. So as energetic analysts say.
Wojciech Jakóbik, energy analyst admits that Poland can benefit from this decision, but not right away. Gazprom must consider European antitrust law. This process will continue, but one thing is certain, that the days of wild activity of the Russian company in our part of the world ends – he argued.
Dr. Peter Wawrzyk, europeista from Warsaw University points out that the judgment is the result of the proceedings, which began prior to the deterioration of the European Union’s relationship with Russia. Political scientist argues that the Commission’s decision will be Moscow explained another “political struggle”. The Alexander
Gawlikowska-FYK the Polish Institute of International Affairs believes that the Russian giant is not willing to compromise. The expert argued that Brussels reached after a very strong case to Gazprom. – Common rules of competition are the strongest instrument which has the European Commission – notes.
Nicholas Budzanowski, former Minister of the Treasury: Poland may benefit from the transit of gas to Ukraine.
Source: Newseria
IAR / PAP, bless
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