On September 4, 2012 the European Commission announced on its web site that it had opened formal proceedings to investigate antitrust activities of Gazprom.

As of today, our company has not yet received the official notification from the European Commission on this matter. The opening of proceedings does not imply that Gazprom has acted in breach of the EU competition rules.

Gazprom scrupulously abides by all the provisions of international law and national legislation in all of the countries where Gazprom Group conducts business. Gazprom Group's activities on the EU market are in full conformity with legal standards applied by other natural gas producers and exporters, this includes price formation mechanisms.

We expect that the investigation will duly respect our legal rights and legitimate interests based on the European and international law, and that it will be taken into account that Gazprom, registered outside the jurisdiction of the EU, is a business entity empowered, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, with special social functions and a status of a strategic organization, administered by the government.

Gazprom remained always true to its commitment to cooperate in good faith with the European Commission and remains committed to proceed with this interaction for the sake of a constructive dialogue.