Accessibility links

Breaking News

EU To Charge Gazprom In Antitrust Probe


EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia (file photo)
EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia (file photo)
The European Union says it is preparing to charge Russian energy giant Gazprom with abusing its dominant position in Central and Eastern Europe.

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia made the announcement on October 3 in Vilnius. He told reporters that the European Council is now preparing a charge sheet against Gazprom known as a statement of objections.

Almunia said the antitrust investigation covers Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said the probe was "anticipated to end in spring 2014."

Companies can be penalized up to 10 percent of their annual revenue for breaching EU antitrust rules.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG