Naftogaz files complaint to European Commission over Gazprom

NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine has filed a complaint to the European Commission over the anti-competitive actions of Russia`s Gazprom in the European gas market.

Executive Director of Naftogaz Group, Yuriy Vitrenko, wrote this on his Facebook page on May 6.

“We have just opened a new front in the confrontation with Gazprom - we have filed a complaint to the European Commission over Gazprom’s anti-competitive actions,” Vitrenko wrote.

According to him, the complaint includes facts how the Russian monopolist is abusing its dominant position in the market and is restricting competition.

"In this complaint, we analyze in detail how, due to Nord Stream 2, blocking the virtual reverse, controlling companies in the European gas market, Gazprom is abusing its dominant position and restricting competition. We also ground our rights to file this complaint (although we are not from the European Union) and, importantly, we propose specific procedures for solving the problems indicated in the complaint,” explained Vitrenko.

He noted that the complaint to the European Commission was developed jointly with leading European experts and lawyers.

According to Vitrenko, if Gazprom’s anti-competitive actions can be stopped, "we will save gas transit revenues for Ukraine. Let me remind you that the lack of gas transit will mean a loss of 4% of GDP and an economic decline as early as in 2020."

Also, the official has added that he hopes that Ukraine will be able to reduce the cost of imported gas.

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