Ukraine's Foreign Ministry: Third Energy Package rules must be applicable to Nord Stream 2

Putting Nord Stream 2 into operation would further strengthen Russia's dominant position in the European energy market.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Ukraine is counting on the European Union's firm position in extending the updated rules of the Third Energy Package to the Nord Stream 2 project. "The Ministry's position remains unchanged – the project carries real threats to security in the Baltic Sea region, as well as challenges to the energy security of Ukraine and other states in Eastern Europe," the ministry's press secretary Kateryna Zelenko told UNIAN in a comment. The ministry "is aware of the fact that the Danish authorities have granted permission to Nord Stream 2 construction works." "The fact that the issue, which caused so many debates in Danish society, was considered confirms the threats exist," she said.

According to her, putting Nord Stream 2 into operation would further strengthen Russia's dominant position in the European energy market. "The abovementioned deserves special attention in the light of the Russian side's refusal during trilateral consultations on October 28 this year to substantively discuss the parameters of a future contract for the transportation of Russian gas through the Ukrainian gas transmission system as of January 1, 2020," Zelenko said. "In this context, the Ukrainian side is counting on the EU's firm position on the issue of the full extension of the updated rules of the Third Energy Package to the Nord Stream 2 project," she said. As was reported earlier, the Danish Energy Agency issued a permit to Nord Stream 2 to construct a 147-km section of the twin pipeline southeast of the Danish island Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 will have to wait another month before the permit can be used, according to Danish law which gives parties the option to lodge complaints for up to four weeks after the decision, the DEA said.