European Commissioner for Climate: The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project should be stopped
The European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, stated that the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project should be stopped, EUobserver reported. According to Cañete, the European Commission failed to prevent the construction of the gas pipeline on legal grounds. Miguel Arias Cañete noted that there is no reason to develop infrastructure for fossil fuels, when the European Union strives to switch to renewable energy after 2050.
In September, a group of European gas companies signed an agreement with Gazprom on the expansion of the Nord Stream pipeline up to Germany, bypassing Ukraine. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, previously stated that the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project will not receive funding from the European Commission.
The European Commission wants to reduce dependence on Russian gas, which supplies about one-third of the EU’s energy resources. The European Commission has already stated that the expansion of Nord Stream-2 will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure compliance with legislation and the objective of diversifying suppliers and preserving Ukraine’s status as a transit country.