Reuters: Gazprom says EU gas pricing probe is "politically motivated"

Gazprom Deputy Chief Executive Alexander Medvedev on Thursday accused the European Commission of a politically-motivated attempt to bring down EU gas prices.

The European Commission opened an investigation last September into suspected anti-competitive market practices by Russia 's Gazprom (GAZP.MM ), stoking tension in relations between the European Union and its biggest gas supplier.

"We have doubts about the motivation," Medvedev said through an interpreter, and asked if the Commission's move was an attempt to "depress gas prices by artificial means" as opposed to through commercial negotiation.

He was speaking to industry and EU officials at an annual conference on the gas aspect of ongoing EU-Russia dialogue.

Philip Lowe, director general of the Commission's energy department, said complaints of abuse of a dominant position had to be investigated and if found justified, would be addressed.  MORE