OAO Gazprom on Monday sent its response to European Union charges that the Russian energy firm hindered competition and charged unfair prices in Eastern Europe, arguing the case was “economically and legally unfounded.” The response, which was expected by Monday, “shows why we believe the European Commission’s allegations are based on an incorrect methodology,” Gazprom said. It comes a week after Gazprom said it proposed a settlement with EU regulators , a move that could help the company avoid billion-dollar fines. The European Commission, the bloc’s top antitrust authority, said it had received Gazprom’s response and would consider it “carefully…before taking any decision on how to proceed.” The regulator said it was assessing Gazprom’s settlement proposals “in parallel.” The commission in April filed formal charges against Gazprom , saying the state-controlled company broke EU antitrust law in eight countries where it is the dominant gas supplier—Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, […]