'Nord Stream-2' should be in the sanctions list of the European Union until Russia returns to the international legal framework - Gonchar

Thursday, 27 April 2017 12:38
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According to some estimates, the chances of Russia to build the second branch of the “Nord Stream” may be not so illusory. Recently, “Gazprom” has signed agreements with five European companies on long term financing of the construction of the "Nord stream – 2" pipeline. At the same time, the European Commission has pursued a policy of disengagement, in some cases even of facilitation for “Gazprom” in its implementation of intentions to strengthen the EU's dependence on one gas supplier by one route.

By contrast, the EC must take a tougher stance - Mykhailo Gonchar, the president of the Centre for Global Studies “Strategy XXI”said in his comments for Nana Chorna's article “Nord Stream: force to action”, published on the UNIAN. The EC should put forward such demands to Russia:

First, Russia can build new infrastructure only after return to the international legal framework: it must leave the territory of the Crimea and the Donbass, that is, after the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. But until that time the "Nord Stream-2" project should be in the sanctions list of the European Union. Second, Russia must positively resolve the issue of gas transit from Central Asia through its teritory and then through the Ukrainian GTS to Europe. Moreover, it will be in the interests of the EU, which has sought to diversify fuel supplies for many years. Third, Russia must allow access of independent gas producers to the export pipe and provide them free access to the European market. Then they will be able to use the GTS of Ukraine, while Gazprom will supply gas through the "Nord Stream-2".

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