Now the European Parliament is also on board: In the dispute over new rules for pipeline projects such as Nord Stream 2, there is a preliminary agreement with the EU countries and the European Commission.
On Tuesday, the negotiations in Strasbourg were started: negotiators of the European Parliament met with representatives of EU countries and the European Commission, it was about a change in the Gas Directive. On the night of Wednesday, the Commission then announced that there was a preliminary agreement.
The amendment to the Gas Directive could have economic consequences for the pipeline Nord Stream 2 under construction from Russia to Germany. Strict operating conditions could reduce the profits of the project or even make it uneconomical.
The preliminary agreement must now also be formally approved by the Council of Member States and the European Parliament. Then the amendment to the Gas Directive would be finally approved.
Last week, after an open dispute between Germany and France, the EU countries had agreed on a common position. Accordingly, the gas directive should be amended so that pipelines from third countries such as Russia are in principle subject to the same rules as pipelines within the EU. So, among other possession and operation may not be in one hand.
Germany failed with the attempt to prevent this change. In the compromise of Friday, however, the Federal Government prevailed that it would be responsible for any negotiations with Russia on conditions of operation.
EU Commission is satisfied
The special rules are to apply according to data from negotiation circles also after the compromise with negotiators of the European parliament. The rules allowed that Germany alone could have exceptions, it was said according to news agency dpa of those involved. However, the Commission should consider agreements between governments in advance.
The Commission was satisfied with the solution. The amended Gas Directive fulfills the original objectives, the Brussels authority said. Exceptions to the rules for the EU energy market exist only under strict conditions, over which the Commission has a decisive say. The extended rules apply to EU territory, including in territorial waters. The application of EU internal market rules is monitored by the Commission.
„This is a major step forward towards an integrated internal gas market based on solidarity and trust and fully involving the European Commission,“ said Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete. „Today Europe is closing loopholes in its legal framework.“ Anyone who wants to sell natural gas in the EU must respect the European energy rules.
Nord Stream 2 is already built to a good extent and is scheduled to go into operation at the end of 2019. The 1,200-kilometer pipeline through the Baltic Sea is to transport up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia to Germany. Several EU countries and the US reject the project, they warn of growing dependence of Germany on Moscow.
Only on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had renewed its criticism of the pipeline. The US denounces Russian influence in Europe, but also has economic interests in the sale of its liquefied gas in Europe.
The Green MEP and negotiator Reinhard Bütikofer had pounded before the decisive round of negotiations on strict EU rules. „There can be no shared European energy law and no special rights for Gazprom and Nord Stream 2.“ The Parliament will ensure that the EU Gas Directive is applied to Nord Stream 2 and that no loopholes are created.
