Conservatives sceptical about Russian gas pipeline

01.11.16 | News
Hans Wallmark
Photographer
Johannes Jansson/norden.org
The Conservative Group in the Nordic Council has called on governments in the Region to conduct a critical analysis of Russian plans for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, especially the environmental, security, defence, and foreign policy aspects.

The Conservative Group presented a proposal on the issue to the Session of the Nordic Council in Copenhagen on Tuesday, citing at least three reasons for scepticism about the Russian plans.

Although the Conservatives put the environment first on its list, defence and security aspects dominated the plenary debate.

During the building phase, the Nord Stream 2 consortium wants access to strategically important Swedish ports such as Slite and Karlshamn, which will increase the risk of spying and infiltration.

Deteriorating security situation

The Conservative Group thinks that the situation in Europe has deteriorated badly since the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was laid in the Baltic Sea, and that Russian actions, including in Ukraine, have been the direct cause of the tension.

“During the building phase, the Nord Stream 2 consortium wants access to strategically important Swedish ports such as Slite and Karlshamn, which will increase the risk of spying and infiltration,” the Conservative Group says.

The chair of the Group, Hans Wallmark (M), presented the proposal and asked whether Europe needs more or less gas from Russia.

“Our answer would be less,” he said.

Mixed reactions

The Conservative proposal was met with mixed reactions. Two of those who opposed it were Erkki Tuomioja (S) and Juho Eerola (Sannf), who did not agree about the defence and security aspects of the issue.

“I think that interdependence makes nations less likely to resort to weapons. That is something the Nordic Council should support,” Tuomioja responded.

The third reason cited is that the new pipeline risks undermining both Nordic and European co-operation. The Conservatives point out that Russia will use its energy dominance to play European countries off against one another.

“If more countries end up entirely dependent on Russian gas for their energy supplies, pressure will increase to ease up on the sanctions against Russia agreed between the European countries,” they said.