Ukraine may join Poland in a law suit against EU over concession of OPAL pipeline to Russia
Ukraine can file a lawsuit against the European Commission and the European energy regulator due to Gazprom’s increased access to the OPAL pipeline, LB.ua news agency reported, citing a diplomatic source.
According to the source, Kyiv cautioned Europe that in addition to inflicting financial losses on Poland and Ukraine as a result of the reduction of transit volumes of Russian gas, the European Union sets a dangerous precedent which will be exploited by Russia's Gazprom when fighting claims against its violation of a third energy package related to the construction of the South Stream pipeline.
"We informed our European partners, including the EU leadership, that if the decision on the use of the OPAL pipeline is not reconsidered, we will join the claim against the European Commission and a regulator filed by our Polish partners," the source of LB.ua noted.
On 4 December, the Polish state company PGNiG, filed a complaint with the European Court to appeal the decision of the European Commission providing Russia’s Gazprom expanded access to the OPAL pipeline.
The presidents of Ukraine and Poland stressed in their joint statement that the decision of the EU Commission on the OPAL pipeline undermines the EU energy security strategy.
On 28 October, the European Commission approved an increase in the volume of gas to be transported via the OPAL pipeline by Russia’s Gazprom.
Under this decision Gazprom may use an additional 40% of the overall OPAL capacities of 25.6 billion cubic meters.