Gas pipelines coming into EU have to comply with EU rules

"Far too often, gas supply has been used as a political weapon. We cannot ‘disarm’ the impure intentions of others but we can arm ourselves with full legal clarity and consistency of existing legislation. This is what our Energy Union as well as this amended Directive is about", said Jerzy Buzek MEP, EPP Group Spokesman, after the adoption in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee of the legislative Report on common rules for the internal market in natural gas.

The new rules will apply to all gas pipelines in the EU including Nord Stream 2.

All gas pipelines which arrive in the EU from third countries will have to fully comply, on the entire EU territory, with existing EU rules, primarily the Third Energy Package: third-party access, transparency requirements, fair tariffs and a proper separation of the supply chain from production to distribution of gas. This is a precondition for our energy security and independence - all the more important that the EU’s dependence on gas imports is constantly growing.

"This Regulation is not against any particular investment project or any market participant. From now on, the rules will be equal to every investor and operator. Those who obey and play fair will have no reason for concern and will benefit from long-term investment certainty and predictability. This will secure real competition, which is at the very core of a well-functioning gas market in Europe that should supply businesses and citizens with secure and affordable energy in a non-discriminatory way", Jerzy Buzek underlined.

Background: EPP Group position on security and energy.

Position Paper 'Towards a European Defence Union' - "In the East, Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, as well as the illegal annexation of Crimea. Hybrid tactics, including cyber terrorism and information warfare and energy policy, in particular the proposed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, are not only designed to destabilise Eastern Partnership countries but also Western democracies."

Position Paper 'External Dimension of Energy Security' - "We believe that the Nord Stream 2 agreement is not in line with the EU strategy of diversification of sources of supply and routes of transit of imported energy, as well as the EU’s energy security strategy and foreign, security, and Eastern Partnership policy goals, reinforcing the EU’s dependency on Russian gas supply."