The European Commission adopted on June 9 a request for the Council
of the European Union for a mandate to negotiate with the Russian
Federation the key principles for the operation of the Nord Stream 2 gas
pipeline project.
The Commission seeks to ensure that, if built, Nord Stream 2 operates
in a transparent and non-discriminatory way with an appropriate degree
of regulatory oversight, in line with key principles of international
and EU energy law.
“Creating a well-diversified and competitive gas market is a priority
of the EU’s energy security and Energy Union strategy,” European
Commission Vice-President for Energy Union
Maroš Šefčovič said.
“As we have stated already several times, Nord Stream 2 does not
contribute to the Energy Union’s objectives. If the pipeline is
nevertheless built, the least we have to do is to make sure that it will
be operated in a transparent manner and in line with the main EU energy
market rules,” he added.
Meanwhile, Climate Action and Energy Miguel Commissioner
Arias Cañete said
that, any other infrastructure project in the EU, Nord Stream 2 cannot
and should not operate in a legal void or according to a third country’s
energy laws only. “We are seeking to obtain a Council mandate to
negotiate with Russia a specific regime which will apply key principles
of EU energy law to Nord Stream 2 to preserve the functioning of the
European internal energy market,” Cañete said.
The Commission said the EC is committed to the Energy Union
objectives, including energy security. The priority is to create a
well-diversified and competitive gas market, the Commission said, adding
that the work to consequently dismantle barriers to trade and
supporting critical gas infrastructure is ongoing.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/commission-seeks-mandate-eu-member-states-negotiate-russia-nord-stream-2-agreement/