Estonian Foreign Minister calls Nord Stream 2 project dangerous for Europe
The Nord Stream 2 project may have negative consequences for the energy security of Europe, stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Sven Mikser, in an interview with Tagesspiegel.
"We cannot allow a supplier to use energy as an instrument of political pressure. Before the project continues, we must very accurately analyze its consequences," said the Estonian Foreign Minister, who is currently presiding over the Council of the European Union.
"If the analysis shows that Nord Stream 2 puts Russia in a position in which it can put pressure on countries in Europe, for example, Ukraine, we should take this very seriously," Sven Mikser stressed.
At the same time, Mikser supported direct negotiations between the European Commission and Russia on the project.
Note that the European Union countries have not yet granted the European Commission a mandate to start negotiations with the Russian Federation on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. There has only been an informal discussion of the EC request.
As is known, a number of European countries have opposed the construction of the pipeline, believing that it would make the EU "hostage to Moscow."
Nord Stream 2 pipeline is expected to be completed by 2020. It will carry Russian gas to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.