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Lithuania/Russia: Record fine stings Gazprom

 |  June 10, 2014

Lithuanian competition regulators have imposed a record-setting fine on Russian gas giant Gazprom for harming competition in the nation, reports say.

Gazprom, which provides nearly one-third of Europe’s demand, was ordered to pay $48 million by Lithuanian officials. According to the Competition Council, Gazprom refused to negotiate a gas exchange deal with Lithuanian power operator Lietuvos Energijos Gamyba in breach of competition law.

according to reports, the power company, which is part of state-owned Lietuvos Energija, had negotiated a gas deal with another seller in Western Europe but found delivery to be impossible. In response, the Lithuanian firm approached Gazprom to facilitate the delivery.

When Gazprom allegedly refused to do so in 2012, the Lithuanian company filed a complaint with regulators.

The fines mark the largest-ever lodged by the nation’s competition regulator according to reports.

Full content: Reuters

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