Having regard to the official communication issued by European Commission that it has sent a Statement of Objections as a formal step in an investigation which aims to determine if an abuse of dominant market position has taken place in the natural gas market in Bulgaria by Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD, Bulgargaz EAD and Bulgartransgaz EAD, we would like to inform you as follows:
The procedure which was formally opened on July 5th 2013 refers to the concerns of the Commission about possible restrictions on third party access to the transmission network, to the gas storage facility at Chiren as well as natural gas import infrastructure. As expressly outlined by the European Commission, the Statement of Objections contains its preliminary opinion and does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.
As of 2011 Bulgartransgaz EAD fully cooperates for the establishment of the conditions for the functioning of the natural gas market and submits to the European Commission comprehensive information.
Bulgartransgaz EAD had ensured the conditions necessary for the provision of non-discriminatory third party access to the gas transmission network of Bulgaria and the natural gas storage equipment at Chiren UGS. The available capacity in the gas infrastructure is allocated in line with the announced in advance and publicly available rules and procedures that can be found by all interested parties on Bulgartransgaz EAD Internet site.