EC nixes delayed liberalization of Polish gas market and PGNiG monopoly

The European Commission (EC) sees no reason to agree to Poland's motion to postpone the liberalization of its gas market until 2006. EC claims that the only reason for the proposal is the fact that the gas company National Gas and Oil Mining (PGNiG) wants to protect its monopolist position as long as possible. The liberalization of gas services has become the main threat to Poland's successful completion of energy negotiations with the European Union (EU). The EC believes that although independent domestic gas suppliers are theoretically allowed to operate, PGNiG actually holds a monopolist position, which should be broken down by strengthening independent regulatory authorities on the market. Within the EU, 80% of the gas market is fully liberalized. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B1) T.J.