FX.co ★ EU-Moscow row over South Stream

The European Union said that it has nothing against the construction of South Stream by the Russian gas giant Gazprom. For context, operations on the project were suspended as Russia had to comply with the EU’s Third Energy Package. The main controversy is the one over the standards preventing gas suppliers from also controlling distribution networks on the territory of the EU.
"We have started negotiations, created a working group and continued discussion. But a few days ago, Russia decided to appeal to the court of the WTO to achieve exceptions to European regulations through this organization. Moreover, it accused us of violating the WTO rules. That claim means that Russian energy policy is consistent with WTO rules and EU legislation is not," Oettinger said. According to him, Russia’s South Stream must first comply with these regulations and only after that ask for exceptions.
"We have a clear position, which is supported by member states. European law, which is currently in force, has to be taken into account," he said further, adding the EU had to be united as "a team."