The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections Gazprom, which states that certain commercial practices in Central and Eastern Europe by the Russian company constitute an abuse of a dominant position and violate EU competition rules.
This is another step in disciplining KE Gazprom, who has long lived in the belief that the European Union is close to foreign countries and EU rules do not apply. Long was the reassurance, especially by the Germans. Russian gas they considered the part of its energy security.
Cooperation flourished particularly during the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline. The symbol of this alliance was the entrance to the supervisory board of Gazprom, former Chancellor of Germany and a personal friend of Putin, Gerhard Schröder.
Pay or cry
The European Commission has tolerated the practice of Russians – playmaking individual countries, the use of preferential prices for countries with which it had better contacts and Punishment of the high prices of those with whom they formed a relationship worse.
In particular, they were beaten dependent on Russian gas. Gazprom was able to use it with a take-or- pay contracts and gas re-export bans. Obrywały mainly countries in our region: Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia and Hungary.
However, the Ruler is enough. When as a result of gas wars and turning gas supplies began to be deprived of the EU countries, when the European Commission started practical steps towards the creation of a common energy market, recognized that Gazprom something must be done.
We have already had a war of III Gas Directive, which requires the separation of gas trading and gas pipeline management introduces the principle of third party access to transmission infrastructure. Russians have long refused to accept it, claiming that it is their pipelines with them and they will do what they want. Eventually, however, they had to come to terms with the changes. Also in Poland, where the operator of the Yamal gas pipeline Polish gas system is not EuRoPol Gas.
Reverse moods
The contests are other solutions, including gas trading within the virtual and physical sides. It consists in the fact that, for example. Ukraine can buy gas in Germany, and to receive it in the form of transit of Russian gas flowing through the country (a virtual reverse). Russians protest against rewersom physical well when gas is pumped from the West to Ukraine pipes, which originally was intended to be one-way.
This complicates the policy of keeping the Ukraine by the throat with a gas dependency. Since the annexation of the Crimea and the outbreak of military conflict in Ukraine sentiment towards Russia and Gazprom have changed dramatically.
The recent decision of the European Commission is another sign that the good old days are gone. Although Brussels warns that the beginning of a legal procedure in which nothing is a foregone conclusion. A Gazprom has the right to present evidence and legal arguments. However, the position of the Commission containing a description of reprehensible practices is extremely clear.
Conflict extraterritorial
Gazprom said that “the allegations brought by the European Commission are unfounded.” He argues that it complies with EU law, but also stands up for extraterritorial treatment. Because the company “was established outside the jurisdiction of the EU and is based on the law of the Russian Federation with special important social functions, and also has the status of a strategic business entity controlled by the government.”
The European Commission this probably does not move you. It may be over heavy fines, which have already been imposed on the economic giants such. Microsoft. The previous argument to stop gas supplies to Europe, where the EU chess Russians weakened. No coincidence that the European Commission decision on Gazprom coincided with the decision of the US to launch a US export gas to Europe.
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