Addressing the European Parliament on Thursday 14 September, the Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action, Miguel Arias Cañete, provided an update on the controversial Russian gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2 and the Commission's request for a mandate from the Council to negotiate the regulatory framework for the operation of the gas pipeline with Moscow.
“We do not see that, if built, the Nord Stream 2 project would contribute to [the EU's energy security and diversity of supply objectives], because [the pipeline] will give access neither to a new source nor to a new route of gas supply”, Cañete said, reassuring an audience that is largely opposed to the Russian plans.
Additionally, in view of the projected decline in demand for gas - “from today's level of 460 billion m³ to somewhere between 350 and 410 billion m³ by 2030, the Commission sees no need for a new infrastructure of the magnitude of Nord Stream 2 and the massive addition of 55 billion m³ import capacity could allow Gazprom to further strengthen its position on the EU market”, he went on.
Cañete pointed out that on 9 June, the Commission had adopted a recommendation to the Council calling for a mandate to negotiate a regulatory framework with Russia for the operation of Nord Stream 2 (see EUROPE 11805). This negotiating mandate aims to establish a legal framework and make it possible to ensure that the offshore section and coastal part of the gas pipeline functions in line with the fundamental principles of international law and EU legislation on energy (in particular the third energy package) and security of gas supply, as well as with EU rules on environmental protection and competition.
During the Council's first discussions (at the end of July: Ed) (see EUROPE 11818), “a majority of member states welcomed the Commission proposal”, Cañete said. “A significant number of member states are clearly in favour of the mandate; there is a group of member states who are rather neutral towards the idea and have not yet made their views known. Finally, only a few member states are this stage against the mandate, albeit for different reasons: either because they see it as unnecessary or, on the other hand, because they consider it not sufficiently ambitious”, he summed up.
Furthermore, the legal services of the Council have been called upon to return an opinion and the Estonian Presidency is now waiting for this opinion before continuing talks, the Commissioner said.
Lastly, Cañete announced that the Commission is also working on a proposal to clarify the regulatory framework for gas pipelines from third countries, without prejudice to the Nord Stream 2 negotiation mandate. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)