Poland: Nord Stream 2 poses significant threat to the world and to security in Europe
Poland sees Nord Stream 2 as a significant threat to the world and to the security of the European continent not only in terms of Europe’s deepening dependence on Russian energy resources but also of prospects of escalation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, stated Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz during a meeting in Davos with Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
Czaputowicz noted that, when the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine is stopped, Ukraine will lose income and certain protection from Russia’s wide aggression, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reported.
Czaputowicz explained that Poland's position regarding the construction of Nord Stream 2 coincides with the general position of the European Commission and remains unchanged. That is, the "gas directive” regarding application of its requirements to the underwater gas pipelines should apply to all gas pipelines. Czaputowicz was adamant that Nord Stream 2 should not be implemented.
Ukrainian Vice-Prime-Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Klympush-Tsintsadze, in turn, expressed hope for further coordination to counter the construction of Nord Stream 2. She noted that Poland plays an active role among the EU countries that advocate their positions regarding the need for early approval of amendments to the "gas directive" by the member States.
Nord Stream 2 will be laid at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, joining the Russian supplier with consumers in Europe. When completed, it will be 1,200 kilometers long with a transit capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The project costs nearly 10 billion Euro to complete.
Ukraine is convinced that the gas pipeline will be not only harmful to Ukraine's economy but will also have adverse economic and political impacts for all of Europe. Despite this, Germany stated that it does not intend to abandon the project.
On December 12, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging to stop the construction of Nord Stream 2. The USA supported the resolution against the extension of Nord Stream and urged Germany to listen to its neighbors’ concerns.