EU's Kroes to settle gas cartel cases soon -paper

FRANKFURT, May 25 (Reuters) - European Union Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes wants to settle two cartel cases affecting the European natural gas market in the coming weeks, Germany's Der Spiegel reported this weekend without citing sources.

The magazine said she aimed to prove that E.ON EONG.DE and its partner in the MEGAL pipeline project, Gaz de France GAZ.PA, had made an illegal agreement not to supply gas in each other's markets.

Meanwhile, RWE (RWEG.DE) intentionally reduced investments in its gases business to hinder competition, the magazinereported.

E.ON and RWE declined to comment on the ongoing antitrust proceedings. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)