Brussels, 22/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - Jonathan Todd, the spokesperson for competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes has announced that the Commission had decided to launch a probe into certain practices by the French Gaz de France company. During surprise raids in 2006 at the offices of the former national energy provider, Commission officials found documents that appeared to suggest restrictive practices that went against European rules on abuse of dominant position in the market place. Todd informed the press on Thursday 22 May that according to these documents, there had been reservations about long term capacity of gas transportation and an imports agreement network, as well as underinvestment in infrastructure for gas imports. Given that this involved investment that had not been delivered, it was difficult to calculate the exact amount but it was the intention that counted. Mr Todd explained that when there is a deliberate decision to invest, abuse of dominant position could be taking place. He also explained that this investigation followed revelations made by inspectors and not complaints from third parties. As we go to press, Gaz de France was still refusing to comment but it can be deduced that the Commission initiative is particularly inopportune, given that it comes just when GDF is attempting to conclude its merger with Suez. The investigation is also part of the energy liberalisation project in the European Union for which the Commission would like to see ownership unbundling of energy production and distribution. This project has, nevertheless, met the opposition of several member states, particularly France and Germany, which interprets it as an infringement of ownership rights. (C.D.)