Gazprom observes local rules, counts on objective EC investigation - Markov
NOVY URENGOI. Sept 7 (Interfax) - OJSC Gazprom observes the rules of those countries in which it operates, and so is counting on an objective investigation by the European Commission, member of the company management board and head of its department for relations with authorities Vladimir Markov has said.
"By no means do we think that we have done anything worthy of punishment, we simply want an as objective and consistent a relationship as is provided to other companies," Markov told the press during a visit to gas-production facilities in Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District by a European Parliament delegation on Friday.
The EC is conducting similar investigations not only as regards Gazprom, but also other companies that operate on energy markets in Europe, he said. "Moreover, there are examples of major world companies being fined significant amounts by the European Commission," he said.
It often happens that some politicians, especially European politicians, attempt to use the name 'Gazprom' to put pressure on Russia, Markov said. "But we engage exclusively in business activities, by the rules worked out in those countries where we work, even if we don't like them," he said.
The 3rd Energy Package is being introduced in countries that are totally not ready for them - countries in the former Soviet Union, Markov said. "And so in this matter we perceive more political underpinning -big - than a basis for creating realistic markets. We're hoping that Europe's work experience under the 3rd Package shows that those forces they are applying will not influence the market especially, will not create that competition about which they speak," he said.