The European Union has demonstrated its intent to apply the field of trade and competition as a weapon, drawing it against the Russian " Gazprom ", the employee of the research center "Brookings Institution" (Brookings Institution, Washington) Tim Boersma. The European Commission on Wednesday put forward formal charges "Gazprom" in violation of antitrust law in eight EU countries. The Russian gas holding company called the complaints baseless. amid the current geopolitical situation, the attacks against "Gazprom" in violation of antitrust law can hardly be seen as ordinary, But you should consider them With the 1st turn From the economic point of view, the specialist believes. review of the European Commission, the Russian Firm shares the gas markets of Central and Eastern Europe, for example due to reduction of their buyers on the resale of gas across borders. Such actions, as suggested by the European Union, could give the opportunity to Gazprom " to apply unfair prices in some EU countries ". However, such accusations of the Union address in "Gazprom" do not take into account a number of subtleties. Most importantly, the European Commission has talked about only a certain segment of the energy market, namely the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, where markets and trade evolving. Contracts in these countries are signed, usually at the level of governments, besides all these contracts differ between them. So, the EU will be extremely difficult to compare them, to prove that it was abuse of market power, Tim emphasizes Boersma. The delivery of gas to Europe hinder rather not the actions of "Gazprom" and, as repeatedly declared themselves European officials, poor infrastructure and lack of fresh investment in pipelines, connection lines and the organization of the reverse supply chain, the specialist said. These problems, according to Tim Boersma must decide for themselves members of the EU. To accuse Gazprom difficulty in moving gas streams will be difficult, the most considering that in the cases of free movement of gas is physically impossible. Finally, it is unclear what the European Commission is aware of " unfair prices." The difference in cost carriers in the European countries is a normal phenomenon, because in the formation of prices is the role of the volumes, the transportation distance, changing market rules. Although European officials told the evaluation of "fairness" as a consequence of several factors, it remains a rather arbitrary category, and the proof of how fair was the price, is extremely difficult, I am sure Tim Boersma. of course, Gazprom believes that the case of the European Commission against him is a manifestation of hostility on the background of increasing tensions between Russia and the West. From the Russian point of view, the Firm has been a reliable supplier of gas to the European Union and invested in the development of different supply routes bypassing Ukraine, underlines the Creator of the article.