Latvia: Nord Stream-2 pipeline is dangerous for transatlantic relations
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkēvičs believes that Nord Stream-2 can become a big problem in transatlantic relations, as stated in a report on the results of the meeting in the Norwegian city of Stavanger which was published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
Rinkēvičs said that the Nord Stream-2 project threatens to increase dependence on a single gas supplier, which contradicts the principles of the Energy Union.
“Energy is not only a question of European security but also of transatlantic relations. Nord Stream-2 may become one of collision points in transatlantic relations,” the message says.
It was reported that the Nord Stream-2 project could be implemented without the participation of Denmark. The alternative route bypassing Denmark does not require additional permits and will not affect the final cost of the project.
On March 21, MEPs supported the European Commission's bill on extending the rules of the EU's internal gas market to gas pipelines that are not located on the continent, including Nord Stream-2, which, in its present form, does not comply with the rules of the so-called third EU energy package since it is entirely owned by the Russian Gazprom.
The United States and Ukraine are actively opposing the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 project. In addition, the parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Estonia spoke out with a joint announcement against the construction of the gas pipeline.