France To Support Review Of EU Gas Directive Targeting Nord Stream 2 - Foreign Ministry

France to Support Review of EU Gas Directive Targeting Nord Stream 2 - Foreign Ministry

France intends to support revision of the EU Gas Directive, which will affect the implementation of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, the country's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday

PARIS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th February, 2019) France intends to support revision of the EU Gas Directive, which will affect the implementation of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, the country's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

"The revision of the gas directive is intended to apply the rules of the third energy package to all gas pipelines with third countries passing through European territory. The revised directive will be applied to Nord Stream 2 project. ... France expects to support the adoption of such a directive," the spokesperson said during a briefing.

The work with partners, in particular, with Germany, on the changes that can be made to the rules, is ongoing, the spokesperson added.

In November 2017, the European Commission proposed extending EU energy rules to gas pipelines from third countries to Europe. In particular, the commission seeks the right to demand a separation of gas sales and pipeline operating activities, as well as third-party access to a pipeline. It is believed that the amendments in question mainly target Nord Stream 2, under which Russian natural gas would be brought to Europe via the Baltic Sea and a hub in Germany.

Nord Stream 2 is a joint venture of Russian gas giant Gazprom and five European companies. It aims to deliver 55 billion cubic meters (1.9 trillion cubic feet) of Russian natural gas annually to the European Union. The pipeline project has been welcomed by some countries in Europe and opposed by the others, who raise concerns over alleged danger of Europe's dependence on Russia and the subsequent diminished transit role of Ukraine.

Washington has been also strongly opposing the project. In this regard, Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced the belief that US leader Donald Trump was seeking to force Russia out of the European energy market so that the United States could sell more liquefied natural gas to Europe. Moscow has also reiterated that the pipeline is a purely commercial project.

In late January, media reported that Germany had submitted to the European Commission its legal opinion concerning draft amendments to the EU Gas Directive, stating that the commission's attempt to acquire control over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project contradicts European and international laws.