Status: 4/4/2022 5:53 p.m
The Federal Network Agency is used as a trustee for the German subsidiary of the Russian state-owned company Gazprom. The step serves to maintain security of supply, according to Economics Minister Habeck.
According to Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, the Federal Network Agency will be temporarily appointed as trustee for Gazprom Germania. Habeck announced that his ministry had ordered this by legal order.
tagesschau live: Habeck comments on Gazprom Germania
4/4/2022 4:46 p.m
The step serves to protect public safety and order and to maintain security of supply. The background is therefore unclear legal relationships and the violation of the reporting obligation within the framework of the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance.
“The step is absolutely necessary,” said Habeck. The security of supply is currently guaranteed. The trust administration will be limited to September 30, 2022.
“Responsibility for secure gas supply”
The Federal Network Agency explained that for a transitional period it would assume the function of a shareholder in trust and could thus ensure proper management. “We are aware of the responsibility for the secure gas supply that this task entails,” said President Klaus Müller.
The Russian parent company Gazprom announced on Friday that the Gazprom Group had ended its stake in Gazprom Germania GmbH and all of its assets. Gazprom is majority owned by the Russian state and was previously the sole owner of Gazprom Germania.
Uncertainty about new owners
Habeck explained that the ministry had become aware of the indirect acquisition of Gazprom Germania by the companies JSC Palmary from Russia and Gazprom export business services LLC.
However, since Gazprom Germania GmbH operates critical infrastructure, every acquisition by a non-EU investor must be approved by the ministry. It is unclear who is behind the two companies mentioned economically and legally. In addition, the purchaser “ordered the liquidation of Gazprom Germania, which is not legal as long as the acquisition is not approved”.
Gazprom Germania’s business areas are trading, transport and storage of natural gas. The GmbH is the owner of other companies in the German gas industry. These include gas trader Wingas, gas storage operator Astora and a minority stake in gas transport company Gascade.