EU Probes Chinese Subsidies and Imports
The European Commission proposed on Tuesday final duties up to 36.3% for imported electric vehicles manufactured in China. This is part of the most high-profile EU investigation into alleged Chinese subsidies, which has provoked threats from Beijing. The EU has also begun investigations to determine whether Chinese clean-tech producers are dumping subventioned goods onto EU markets…
EC Probes E.ON-Innogy Merger
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into German utility E.on's takeover of certain assets from domestic Innogy, saying the transaction may lead to higher prices for consumers.The deal, which is worth a reported €43 billion ($48 billion at today's conversion rate), includes Innogy's distribution and consumer solutions business…
Gazprom Says Progress Made in EU Anti-trust Talks
Gazprom said on Friday that anti-trust talks with the European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager had made progress. The Russian state-controlled company is fighting allegations of overcharging customers and blocking East European rivals in contravention of EU rules. It denies the allegations. Gazprom said it and the European Commission…
France Wins EU Nod for Renewable Energy Schemes
EU state aid regulators approved on Friday four French schemes that will allow the country to produce more than 7.5 gigawatts in energy from onshore wind and solar, saying the projects were in line with EU competition rules. France aims to produce 23 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. The European Commission said France…
Nord Stream 2 not a Common Interest Project - EU
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline which aims to bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea is not a "project of common interest" to the EU, the European Union's competition commissioner said on Monday. "On the legal side of things, it has become very clear that the Commission does not find that the Nord Stream 2 project will be a project of common interest…
Gazprom, EU in Final Leg of Talks, Aiming for Oct Deal
Russian gas producer Gazprom may be able to resolve EU antitrust charges of abusing its market power in eastern Europe by the end of October as it enters the final phase of talks with regulators, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday. The Russian state-controlled company has been accused of overcharging customers and blocking rivals in eastern Europe…
EU Ruling Against Bulgaria Over Gas Network is a Heavy Blow
EU antitrust regulators have told Bulgaria it should sell its state-owned gas network operator Bulgartransgaz or face fines of up to 300 million euros ($333.27 million), Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Borisov said such a sanction would be unacceptable to Bulgaria. Last year the EU executive commission charged state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding…
Gazprom Deputy CEO to Meet EU's Vestager
Gazprom Deputy Chief Executive Alexander Medvedev plans to meet European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager after May 10, Interfax news agency reported, citing Medvedev, on Tuesday. Gazprom and the European Commission are moving towards a "mutually acceptable" solution in resolving antitrust charges against the Russian state-controlled company, it said in March. (Reporting by Polina Devitt)
Gazprom, EU to Continue Settlement Talks
Gazprom and EU regulators pledged on Thursday to continue talks aimed at resolving antitrust charges levied against the Russian gas giant, suggesting the chances of a regulatory fine are receding. The Russian state-controlled company is fighting accusations of over-charging customers and blocking rivals in eastern Europe, practices which the European Commission say breach the bloc's rules ensuring a level playing field.
EU Opens Biofuel Benchmarking Probe
The European Commission said on Monday it had opened a formal antitrust investigation to look into suspicions that three ethanol producers have colluded to manipulate benchmark prices used by the industry. The Commission said in a statement it was assessing the actions of Abengoa SA of Spain, Belgium's Alcogroup SA and Lantmannen ek for of Sweden after unannounced inspections over the past three years.
Gazprom Proposes Settlement of EU Antitrust Case
Russia's top natural gas producer Gazprom has sent proposals to the European Commission regarding an out-of-court settlement of an antitrust case against the company, Interfax news agency quoted a Gazprom official as saying on Monday. After more than two years of investigation, EU antitrust regulators charged the Russian gas giant in April with abusing its dominant position in Poland…
Siemens Wins EU Okay for Dresser-Rand Bid
German industrial group Siemens secured unconditional European Union regulatory approval on Monday for its proposed $7.6 billion bid for U.S. oilfield equipment maker Dresser-Rand. The European Commission said the deal, Siemens' largest ever takeover, would not hurt competition, confirming a Reuters report on May 8. "After a detailed assessment of the markets involved…
Gazprom Concessions Could End EU Antitrust Case
Gazprom has 12 weeks to respond to EU charges. Gazprom is considering offering Europe new concessions, including on pricing, to settle its antitrust case and avoid a long legal battle which could result in billions of dollars in fines for the Russian gas producer. The European Commission has accused Gazprom, which meets a third of EU gas needs and generates more than half its revenues there…
GE CEO to Meet EU Antitrust Chief Now Probing Alstom Bid
General Electric's chief executive, Jeff Immelt, will meet the EU's antitrust chief on Tuesday, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday, amid an ongoing investigation into the U.S. group's 12.4-billion-euro ($13.8 billion) bid for Alstom. Immelt will meet European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in the afternoon, said the source.
EU Charges Gazprom of Price Gouging
European Union antitrust regulators charged Russian gas giant Gazprom on Wednesday with abusing its dominant position in Poland, Hungary and six other countries in Eastern Europe following more than two years of investigation. The European Commission said the state-controlled company, a vital supplier of energy to Europe despite frequent political disputes…
