Nord Stream 2 must be in line with the spirit and word of the European Union’s Third Energy Package, otherwise it cannot be certified.September 10 in Russia announced the completion of the pipeline “Nord Stream-2” / Illustration REUTERS

Unlocking the access of European buyers to the purchase of Russian and Central Asian gas on the eastern border of Ukraine is a legally mandatory condition for the certification of Nord Stream-2 .

This is stated in the message of the National Joint Stock Company “Naftogaz of Ukraine” with reference to the information of the Chairman of the Board Yuri Vitrenko.

“Ukraine’s great diplomatic victory, which is a direct reference in the joint statement of the United States and Germany – Nord Stream-2 must correspond to the spirit and word of the Third Energy Package of the European Union, otherwise it cannot be certified, it cannot really start working,” he said. .

Vitrenko reminded that “the direct requirements of the Third Energy Package are the separation of the gas pipeline operator from the influence of Gazprom and Putin,” as well as ensuring free access for customers to purchase gas and subsequent reservation of transit capacity. And this is possible only when setting a point of sale of gas at the exit from the Russian gas transmission system – in Ust-Luga.

The head of Naftogaz believes that providing free access only to Nord Stream-2 without unblocking the Ukrainian transit route by Russia would be contrary to the principle of solidarity, which is mandatory according to the decision of the European Court.

It is not possible to provide third-party access to Nord Stream-2 alone, because then it will be just more privileged than other gas pipelines from Russia to Europe – for example, through Ukraine. The German regulator should not certify Nord Stream-2. 2 “until Russia unblocks the Ukrainian gas pipeline for third parties. So that European companies can receive gas at the Ukraine-Russia border and then book transit through Ukraine on their own,” he explained.

Nord Stream 2: what you need to know

• The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from the Russian coast across the Baltic Sea to Germany. The gas pipeline bypasses Ukraine.
• The pipeline operator is Nord Stream 2 AG, founded by Russia’s Gazprom. The project is funded by European companies: French Engie, Austrian OMV, British-Dutch Shell, German Uniper and Wintershall.
• The United States has imposed a number of sanctions on construction contractors, which led to the suspension of the pipeline.
• On September 2, after meeting with US President Joseph Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Biden had guaranteed sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in the event of threats to Ukraine’s energy security.
• On September 10, Russia announced the completion of the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline.
• On September 23, 2021, it became known that the Congress had approved  sanctions against Nord Stream-2 .
• (c)UNIAN 2021