Brussels, 20/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 July, the WTO's dispute settlement body (DSB) decided to set up a panel to rule on Russia's complaint against the rules of the EU's legislative package for the liberalisation of the internal energy market (DS 476).
Adopted in 2009, the third energy package sets out the common rules at EU level to regulate the production, transport and distribution of natural gas and electricity.
Russia believes that the third energy package - like the EU's gas policy and energy policy - unjustifiably restricts imports of natural gas originating in Russia and discriminates against Russian natural gas pipeline transport services and service suppliers. Russia also believes that its natural gas is not given the same treatment as that given to natural gas originating in third countries.
In its appeal, Russia says that the measures of the third package are “incompatible” with the EU's WTO obligations and commitments, and are “in breach” of these same obligations and commitments. The inconsistencies that Russia alleges refer to the general agreement on trade in services (GATS), to the agreement on subsidies and compensatory measures, and to the agreement establishing the WTO (see EUROPE 11071).
The EU told the DSB on Monday that it is confident the third energy package was fully compatible with its WTO obligations. The EU also believed that Russia's DSB request enlarged the scope of the dispute brought to the WTO at the request for consultations introduced on 30 April 2014. (Emmanuel Hagry)