Actions of Gazprom in respect of destination clauses in the European natural gas market
20.7.2007
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3992/07
by Christopher Beazley (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission
Gazprom is a monopoly supplier of natural gas in several Member States and a dominant supplier of natural gas in several other Member States.
There is information in the public domain which raises serious concern as to whether Gazprom’s activity amounts to an abuse of its market dominance, relating in particular to its breaking up the single market through market-splitting ‘destination clauses’.
Notwithstanding the seriousness with which such market-splitting provisions are treated under EU competition law, there is evidence of Gazprom requiring its customers in several EU Member States not to sell on excess gas into other EU markets.
Natural gas is a vital energy source for hundreds of millions of European Union citizens, which directly affects their comfort and quality of life.
In the light of the above:
- 1.What steps has the Commission taken to investigate the actions of Gazprom in respect of destination clauses in the European natural gas market?
- 2.What steps does the Commission intend to take to investigate the actions of Gazprom in respect of destination clauses in the European natural gas market?
OJ C 45, 16/02/2008