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MEPs criticise the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the EP and call for it to be stopped
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
At the meeting of the EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, MEPs criticised the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. They pointed out that the project should be stopped because it is harmful to European energy security.
Ms Beata Szydło (PiS) stressed that the German government's repeated assurances that Nord Stream 2 is an economic project that has absolutely nothing to do with politics, have been hypocritical from the beginning.
"This is a political project that strikes European solidarity," she said. The Polish MEP pointed out that doubling the capacity of the already existing Nord Stream 2 connection from Russia to Germany and bypassing Ukraine will increase Russia's economic and political impact on the region, which in turn is already affecting not only European solidarity but also endangers security of supply, and also provides additional revenue for Russia weakening the effect of European sanctions against that country.
"The implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project, although I still believe that it will not happen, will be a great failure for EU policy, and especially for EU energy policy", said Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (PiS).
The PiS MEP cited numerous criticisms of German-Russian investment, including the lack of diversification of sources or routes of transmission, the violation of the principle of solidarity contained in the EU Treaty, the threat to EU energy security, the reward of Russia, instead of imposing sanctions, exporting corruption from Russia and a real threat to the security of the region and the whole continent.
The Prime Minister, Mr Jerzy Buzek (PO), also spoke, who argued that the NS2 should be stopped and, if ever to be completed, only in full compliance with the new EU gas directive. He pointed out that, as the EP rapporteur, he could assure: "There is no EP and there will be no consent to circumventing this law."
Buzek argued that for the European Green Deal gas is an important bridge technology, but this cannot be a bridge between European consumers' money and a regime that poisons citizens and occupies neighbours. In his opinion, "NS2 is not a bridge but a trap for EU energy security".
According to the Russian Gazprom Group, Nord Stream 2, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is already completed in 94 percent. It consists of two strands, each of which is approximately 1230 km long; it is to transport 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia to Germany annually after the Baltic.
The constructions of the Russian-German gas pipeline strongly oppose Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic States, as well as the USA. Critics Nord Stream 2 indicate that this project would increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas and extend the Kremlin's influence on European policy. The project is supported by Germany, Austria and several other EU countries.
On Saturday, it was informed in Washington that at this stage the U.S. State Department would not decide to introduce new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 participants; only Fortuna's barge and its owner KWT-Rus were included on the sanction list.
According to Bloomberg, which published information on the basis of a statement from the State Department, the new administration did not decide to sanction any German or Western European companies involved in a Russian gas pipeline project to avoid conflicting with Berlin.
Source: PAP
