US says Russia’s Nord Stream-2 bad for Eastern Europe

MOSCOW, May 5 (PRIME) -- The U.S. is concerned with Russia’s plans for construction of the Nord Stream-2 natural gas pipeline as it may have a negative impact on Eastern Europe, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said late Wednesday at a meeting with E.U. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

“And we’re also going to discuss one other specific issue of deep concern to me and to everybody here, and I think that’s the Nord Stream-2 pipeline. This project has provoked a very heated debate on both sides of the Atlantic, and we are convinced would absolutely have an adverse impact on Ukraine, on Slovakia, and Eastern Europe. And we cannot lose sight of that,” he said.

Kerry also said he was pleased with the fact the Ukraine is now purchasing less gas from Russia. “We’ve helped Ukraine reduce its dependence on Russia for gas. And for the first time this past winter, Ukraine received more natural gas from Europe than from Russia, which shows what can happen when you put a strategy in place,” he said.

In a joint statement following the energy council’s meeting, the two countries restated that all new projects in Europe should comply with the E.U. legislation. “With a view to contributing to energy security in the gas market in the E.U., the Council concurred that any new infrastructure should entirely comply with the Third Energy Package and other applicable E.U. legislation as well as with the objectives of the Energy Union,” the statement read.

Both countries will work on diversification of energy supplies to the E.U. and neighboring states.

“The Council emphasized it is unacceptable to use energy as a political weapon and underscored its commitment to work together to improve energy diversification in the E.U. and its neighboring countries, including ensuring adequate market-based alternatives in terms of energy sources, suppliers, transportation routes, and demand-side management,” the statement read.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Nord Stream-2 project is purely commercial and attempts to block it are politicized.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a gas pipeline with a capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom will hold 50% in the project, while E.ON, BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, and OMV will own 10% each, and Engie will get a 9% stake.

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