Courtesy of Gazprom

Polish state-owned gas monopolist PGNiG has filed a case with the arbitration tribunal in Stockholm against Russian gas giant Gazprom for the reduction of import prices under a long-term gas-supply agreement.

Discussions between the management of the Polish firm and Gazprom started over six months ago but failed to deliver an agreement over prices, leading PGNiG to file the case.

The Polish company will argue that the Russian behemoth charges much lower prices to its customers in Western Europe than to PGNiG. The Polish firm reportedly wants at least a 10 percent discount on current prices.

"PGNiG is counting on reaching an agreement [in arbitration], which would allow for gas purchases at prices in line with conditions that are shaping the European gas market," the company said in a statement.

Just last week, the Polish distributor signed a contract for the supply of Russian gas from German distributors at a price lower by 15 percent than what it pays for gas directly imported from Russia.

Arbitration proceedings do not mean the end of commercial negotiations with Gazprom, which PGNiG hopes will continue, the firm added.