Russia likely to contest EU energy rules at WTO-source

Logo of Gazprom marketing department located on the Champs Elysees in Paris January 5, 2009. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is likely to contest European Union energy rules at the World Trade Organization in what would be its first trade dispute since it joined the global body, a government source said on Thursday.

The rules, known as the Third Energy Package, restrict gas company Gazprom's control over its European pipeline assets and have been an irritant in relations between Russia and the EU, which accounts for half of Russia's trade.