The European Commission initiated the investigation against Transgaz because, for many years, it has delayed all the investment that would make possible the export of gas from Romania to Hungary, said market sources quoted by Agerpres.

Directorate General for Competition (DG Competition) of the European Commission put under investigation the local gas market following a complaint lodged by a company in Hungary, sources say.

“The European Commission is much very turned against Transgaz because for many years, it delayed investment that would make possible exports of gas from Romania to Hungary (e.n. via Arad-Szeged pipe). The investigation started from a Hungary complaint on the fact that Romania does not export to this country the cheap gas it produces, which would mean blocking the movement of goods within the community area,” said the mentioned sources.

Now, the Arad-Szeged pipeline allows only gas imports from Hungary to Romania. Transgaz planned to invest so as technical conditions would allow the transit of gas in both directions of this pipeline.

On June 6, European Commission officials have carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of Romgaz, Transgaz and OMV Petrom, these companies being suspected that would have formed a cartel to block gas exports from Romania to other member states of the EU.