European Parliament calls for the Nord Stream 2 construction to be cancelled
According to the relevant resolution, it is seen by MEPs as "a political project that poses a threat to European energy security"
PARIS, December 12. /TASS/. The European Parliament has called for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to be cancelled. This is according to the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Wednesday following the report on the Implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The Strasbourg meeting of the plenary session of the European Parliament was broadcast on the EP’s website.
"MEPs praise Ukraine for good cooperation in the energy sector and its achievements in the areas of energy efficiency and renewables, while pointing out the need to continue to reform, particularly in the gas and electricity market. With Ukraine playing a crucial role in the European energy supply network, MEPs condemn the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which bypasses Ukraine, "as it is a political project that poses a threat to European energy security". They therefore call for it to be cancelled," according to the resolution.
About Nord Stream 2
The Nord Stream 2 project includes construction of two gas pipeline lines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. The cost of construction is estimated at 9.5 bln euro, the launch of the pipeline is expected before the end of 2019.
Nord Stream 2 AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gazprom, is the project’s operator. Gazprom’s partners - Germany’s Wintershall and Uniper, Austria’s OMV, France’s Engie and Royal Dutch Shell (the UK Britain and the Netherlands) are to finance 50% of the project.
The pipeline will bypass transit countries - Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic countries - through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries - Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.
Denmark is the only country that has not granted its permit for the construction of the pipeline in its waters. The country plans either to block or to postpone the implementation of the project. The project operator has already submitted an application for an alternative gas pipeline route that will pass through the exclusive economic zone of Denmark to the north-west of Bornholm.