Gazprom has responded to the EU's recent antitrust investigation against the company, stressing that Gazprom is a Russian government company and therefore lies outside the jurisdiction of the European Commission, reports Interfax.

"We expect that the framework of the investigation will adequately respect our rights and interests according to both EU and international laws, and that Gazprom (a Joint Stock Company), set up outside the jurisdiction of the EU, is a company created in accordance with Russian legislation, with publicly significant functions and status of a strategic state-controlled entity," the Gazprom statement states.

Gazprom announced that it pays careful attention to be compliance with the norms of international law and the laws of the countries in which it operates.
At the same time, the European Commission announced that it may expand the area of checks on Gazprom activities,  reports RIA "Novosti" citing the press service of the European Commission.
A representative from the Commission notes that the current investigation is being conducted in eight countries in Central and Eastern Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Gazprom holds a dominant position in these markets. The question the Comission is investigating is whether Gazprom has abused this position, " said the EC representative.
"We are not ruling out other EU countries [which may be listed in the investigation], if new information is discovered,"  he said.
On Tuesday it was reported that the European Commission launched an investigation against Gazprom on suspicion of violating EU competition laws. European authorities suspect the Russian gas giant of a breach of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which defines what is regarded as the use of dominant position in the market to affect trade between EU countries. If a violation of antitrust laws is proven, "Gazprom" will pay up to 30% of annual revenue.
According to Gazprom, they have not received official notification of the beginning of the antitrust investigation, but are ready for a constructive dialogue.
"We still have not received official notification of this from the European Commission. The beginning of a formal investigation stage does not mean recognition that Gazprom is guilty of any violation of EU competition law, " said the gas giant.