During the last European Council meeting held in March this year in Brussels, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven as part of the intergovernmental consultations. One of the topics discussed was the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, to which Sweden also objects.
Sweden does not change its critical opinion about Nord Stream 2
The Office of the Prime Minister of Sweden stresses in response to the questions of BiznesAlert.pl that after the murder attempt of the former Russian spy Sergey Skripal and his daughter, the Kingdom’s position on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has not changed. – Increased foreign activity in the region where the gas pipeline is to be located in the near Sweden, encourages increased protection activities, and appropriate bodies must take steps to ensure security – the law office provides.
Consent only based on the environment
For Sweden, 'it is of the utmost importance’ to allow the gas pipeline to run in its exclusive economic zone, 'so it must be taken in accordance with Swedish and international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’ (UNCLOS) – we read. At the same time, however, the Swedish side emphasizes that this decision will depend on an environmental impact assessment. – The scope of the assessment will be based on such a perspective. The possibility of rejecting the application is extremely limited. At the same time, Sweden actively participated in discussions at EU level on the impact of the project on European energy policy and legal interests – the press office of the Swedish Prime Minister indicates.
Stockholm for the change of the gas directive
In the reply sent, it was emphasized that Sweden is pushing for a further European discussion on Nord Stream 2 as part of the draft gas directive revision proposed by the European Commission. – Sweden supports this proposal and acts in a constructive way to allow agreement soon – it is stressed.
In November last year, the European Commission presented amendments to the gas directive. They are to indicate unequivocally that offshore gas pipelines from third countries that cross the territory of the European Union are subject to regulations of the third energy package, in the field of liberalization, distribution of extraction from transmission and access of third parties to this infrastructure. At the end of March, the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Energy and Research (ITRE) supported the draft amendment to the gas directive, which would ultimately cover Nord Stream 2.
„Russia is violating the rules of conduct again”
The government’s press office in Stockholm emphasizes that Sweden has consistently expressed its full support and solidarity with the United Kingdom after the attempted murder at Salisbury. – One of the reasons for our so strong reaction is that the recent events are yet another attempt by Russia to violate the international order, based on the principles of law. As an expression of our solidarity with Great Britain, Sweden decided to expel one person from the staff of the Russian embassy in Stockholm. We do this in close consultation with Finland and a large number of other EU Member States – underlined by the press office of the government office of the Kingdom of Sweden.
Bartłomiej Sawicki
