The Commission said, "Such behavior, if established, may constitute a restriction of competition and lead to higher prices and deterioration of security of supply…. Ultimately, such behavior would harm EU consumers." Gazprom denied the allegations in a statement on Sept. 5: "Gazprom pays great attention to observing international law, and legislation in the countries where Gazprom operates. Gazprom's activities in the EU market, including the formulation of the gas price is in line with standards used by other producers and exporters of gas…. Gazprom is incorporated beyond EU jurisdiction, and is a company which under Russian law exercises functions of public importance and has the status of a strategic organization controlled by the state." The Wall Street Journal stresses this is no "small bureaucratic inquiry." When the Directorate General for Competition begins an investigation, they tend to see it through, and they almost never lose.