ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION ON THE EUROPEAN NATURAL GAS MARKET

 
Autor (i): Mihaela, Ionescu Sas
 
JEL: P18, Q41
 
Cuvinte cheie: Abuse of dominant position, competition, natural gas market, regulation
 
Abstract:
This article addresses aspects of competition in the European gas market and more precisely analyzes the abuse of Gazprom's dominant position in preventing the free flow of gas in the Member States of the European Union and the unfair prices. In line with the European principle of freedom of movement for goods, services, persons and capital, the European Commission adopted three directives, approved in 1998, 2003 and 2009, by introducing competition on a market which had been closed down until then. From a macroeconomic perspective, there have been significant theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting that the liberalization of the European gas market has positive effects on the energy industry in terms of lower prices and security of supply. But competition law in the European energy sector is not always properly applied and consumers are discouraged in terms of implementing the legislative and regulatory framework. In accordance with art. 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), EU countries importing natural gas must benefit from transparent, fair pricing contracts. However, in some cases, abusive practices have been used for gas importers in central and eastern Europe. 
 
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