EU raises doubts over construction of Polish/Norwegian gas pipeline
The European Commission has questioned the Polish-Norwegian deal concerning
gas pipeline construction. EU representatives say that this deal will not be
approved by the European anti-monopoly authorities. Howet Russel, Charge
d'Affaires from the EU commission in Norway, insists that Poland, being an
EU candidate country, should respect European competition law and warns that
when Poland finally joins the EU, the proposed contract will be recognized
as illegal. However, the date of signing the contract has already been set
for 3rd of September and both sides are optimistic about completing the
deal. "We are feeling very confident that we are standing on firm ground in
this case," said acting Director General of Norway's oil and energy
ministry, Gunnar Gjerde, "We are optimistic that we will secure the deal in
the near future." (Reuters; Rzeczpospolita Aug. 11-12, p.B1) A.K.
