Europe remains split on Gazprom's plans to build a new gas pipeline to Germany, Nord Stream-2. Poland remains implacably opposed, as do many other Eastern and Central European states, and Polish antitrust regulators are in no hurry to rule on whether EU firms should be allowed to take part. Germany still supports the project, although now with apparent caveats. Before meeting with European Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete last week, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said Nord Stream-2 would have to comply with EU law, and not affect Russian transit shipments through Ukraine or gas supplies to Eastern Europe. The statement prompted concern in Russia that Germany might be trying to avoid a confrontation with other EU members or, possibly, the US. On the other hand, Gabriel also said, somewhat confusingly, that the project should not be subject to EU antimonopoly regulations. That is the line being taken by Gazprom and its five European corporate partners in the project. The European Commission has still to decide.
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