EU says to test remedies offered by GDF Suez

BRUSSELS, July 8 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Wednesday it will test remedies offered by French utility GDF Suez (GSZ.PA) to address concerns that it might have abused its dominant position in the French gas market.

The Commission, the 27-nation EU'S executive arm, said in a statement a preliminary investigation had found GDF Suez had long-term reservations for most of France's gas import capacity, closing off competitors to the French gas market.

The Commission has invited comments from interested parties to be submitted within two months from July 9.

"Whilst not acknowledging any infringement, GDF Suez proposed to address the Commission's concerns through a major structural reduction in its long-term reservations of gas import capacity into France," the Commission said.

"The proposed commitments could make it easier for would-be competitors to enter the French gas market ," EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in the statement.

On a separate antitrust case, the Commission fined GDF Suez and German utility EON 553 million euros each on Wednesday for secretly carving up gas markets. [ID:nL8515198]

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