Polish Watchdog Sues Gazprom

Poland’s competition regulator UOKiK announced on Wednesday, June 3, it has started proceedings against Gazprom and could fine the Russian company some €50 million (US$56 million).

The watchdog stated Gazprom has not cooperated with its antitrust investigation, failing to provide information related to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Kallanish Energy reports.

“The regulations are clear and the same for everyone, but Gazprom has refused to provide documents relevant to our investigation several times,” said UOKiK’s President Tomasz Chróstny.

“The Russian gas giant cannot act above the law, which is why I initiated proceedings against Gazprom regarding the imposition of a penalty for failure to provide information during the proceedings,” he added.

UOKiK wants to check the contracts between a subsidiary of Gazprom and the European companies financing the construction of Nord Stream 2. These were mainly contracts for the transmission, distribution, sale, supply, and storage of gas.

The Polish authority argues that if the transaction has an impact on the domestic market, or the capital group achieves adequate turnover on it, even a foreign company is obliged to report the transaction to the national antitrust office and respond to its calls.

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