BIZNES ALERT
What is the meaning of this project to the Czech Republic and on what conditions you could quit its critique?
There are three issues we need to address when discussing Nord Stream II. Firstly, there are clear rules on building, owning and operating energy infrastructure in the European Union. These rules were strictly enforced during the discussions of South Stream – and we want to make sure that the European Commission will apply exactly the same approach with the same vigor also to this project to ensure level playing field.
Secondly, as many other countries in the region, we have a long experience with the natural gas from Russia being used as a political bargaining tool. We want Russia to be a reliable supplier and we are interested in buying natural gas from the best available sources – but we are very cautious about how the (non)delivery or (non)transport of natural gas into Europe may be used as a bargaining tool far away from the area of energy.
Thirdly, the key European values are trust and solidarity, not only among the members of the European Union but also with our neighbors and friends. Active cooperation on taking away the natural gas transport business from Ukraine breaks these fundamental values and significantly limits the ability of Ukraine to modernize its economy. I firmly believe that modern and successful Ukraine is in vital interest of Europe – so we should be helping Ukraine, not hurting it.
Why Russia says that Europe is politicizing this project and states it is economical in spite of the fact of existing overcapacity for its gas exports to Europe?
This is exactly the issue where the European Commission must use its powers and where it should be able to analyze the project carefully from the point of view of both the existing rules and the principles of the Energy Union all member states fully endorsed.
What is the compromise in European Council in this case, you would be glad with?
We are not talking about a compromise, we are talking about the need to enforce the rules in the same way for all energy infrastructure projects, whether they are built in the North, South, East or West. The rules apply uniformly and must be enforced in the same way.
What is the final goal of Visegrad Group, Baltic States and others critique of Nord Stream 2 – blocking it? Changing the rules of Gazprom activity in Europe? Some other?
First of all, if Gazprom wants to be active in the European Union, it must follow the same rules as any other company active in the European Union. There may be no exceptions. Secondly, we must make sure we uphold our commitments to the security and development of Ukraine. The government of Ukraine is trying to modernize the country under very difficult circumstances – and our role should be to support the transformation of Ukraine into a modern European state. Withdrawing that support because of some commercial interests would be a grave mistake we will not participate in.
