Russian gas giant Gazprom has released a statement responding to news that the European Commission has launched an anti-trust investigation against the company.

Gazprom stresses that it strictly abides by all national and European regulations in the territory it operates, something it argues is of top priority.

The company says that it learned about the probe from the EC's website, rather than being officially informed, and said it hoped it legal interests and rights will be safeguarded.

"The opening of proceedings does not imply that Gazprom has acted in breach of the EU competition rules," reads the statement.

The gas giant has further not failed to mention that as a state company it has the full support of Russia, even going beyond that.

"Gazprom is a business entity empowered, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, with special social functions and a status of a strategic organization," says the statement.

The company recalls that it has always been in good dialogue with the European Commission and expresses hopes that this will continue.

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