Estonia joins opponents of Nord Stream 2 pipeline
The Estonian Parliament has joined a statement by Latvia, Lithuania and Poland opposing the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as announced by the speaker of the Estonian parliament, Eiki Nestor, reports Delfi.
"Estonia considers Nord Stream 2 a political project. We wish that the Council of the European Union start discussions on updating the Gas Directive as soon as possible," Nestor said.
The Speaker recalled that the amendments proposed by the European Union states that all pipelines on the territory of the EU must comply with the provisions of the energy legislation of the association.
"The reason I am doing this today is simple. I sign only those statements on behalf of Estonia that I have acquainted myself with beforehand. The statement was born in the cooperation of Lithuania and Poland," he added.
The leaders of the parliaments of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia protested earlier against the construction of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. In their opinion, the project is aimed at "energy dependence of the European Union…on Russia" and "preserving the vulnerability [of the EU]."
On Saturday, March 10, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called the Gazprom project "extremely dangerous."
Nord Stream 2 should pass along the bottom of the Baltic Sea, according to the plan. The pipeline will be able to pump 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually. The cost of the project is €9.5 billion ($11.75 billion).