Gazprom Tries To Win Over EU Critics

摘要

Clouds are gathering over Gazprom's proposed Nord Stream-2 pipeline amid growing opposition from a number of European governments. The Russian gas giant can count on support from five European corporate heavyweights, but analysts say it will have to come up with a strategy to deal with its critics. The plan is to build a second 55 billion cubic meter per year (5.3 billion cubic foot per day) pipe under the Baltic parallel to the first Nord Stream line to Germany (WGI Nov.18'15). The European Commission will have the final say on the project, but EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Dec. 17-18 agreed that all new energy infrastructure must comply with EU laws and objectives designed to diversify supply. By contrast, European Council President Donald Tusk said, Nord Stream-2 "would increase Europe's dependence on one supplier and concentrate 80% of Russian supplies on one route." He said it would expand Gazprom's share of the German market to over 60%. Germany doesn't seem concerned, with German firms E.On and BASF/Wintershall both involved in the project. But other EU states, notably Italy, argue that closer cooperation with Russia is at cross-purposes to Europe's sanctions campaign against Moscow. EU sanctions due to expire on Jan. 31 have just been extended by six months.