BRUSSELS (Dow Jones)--The European Commission is seeking comments from interested parties on remedies energy giant GDF Suez SA (GSZ.FR) has offered to increase competition in the French gas market, in which it has been accused of abusing its dominant position, it said Wednesday.
"The proposed commitments involve GDF Suez immediately releasing a large share of its long-term reservations of gas import capacity into France," Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in a press conference. This would open up access by competitors to liquid natural gas terminals and pipelines, she said.
A commission preliminary investigation found that GDF Suez' long-term grip on France's import capacity was limiting access to the country's market by potential competitors.
The commission has been strongly supporting liberalization in the European Union's energy market, including looser control by energy producers on networks, so competition could increase and drive prices down.