Gaz de France (GDF) has said that the European Commission (EC) letter represents a formal step in the procedure designed to inform GDF and E.ON in writing of the objections raised against them and allows the companies to obtain access to the information in the EC’s possession. Sending a statement of objections reportedly does not prejudge the final outcome of the procedure.
The statement of objections received follows an inquiry initiated by the EC in May 2006 and it concerns events that occurred several years ago before the complete deregulation of the European energy market and which have now been superseded.
GDF has said that it will continue to provide the EC with all the information it requires in the course of this inquiry and will assert its rights in compliance with the procedures laid down for such matters in community law.
