The Nord Stream 2 is a system of pipelines for transporting natural gas from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea. It was initially scheduled to be completed at the end of 2019, connecting Ust-Luga in Russia with Greifswald in Germany. However, the project was delayed due to strong criticism and sanctions from the US. The US views the pipelines as strengthening Russian influence in Europe, increasing Europe's dependency on Russian gas, and subsequently weakening transatlantic cooperation. In December 2019, the US Senate voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA covers an extensive range of military and defence spending and policies, including levying sanctions against companies involved with inlaying the Nord Stream 2. Nevertheless, Germany is a big supporter of the Nord Stream pipelines. It allows the country to receive gas directly from Russia for cheaper than the gas that flows through Ukraine or Poland.
Is Nord Stream 2 a political project that aims to reduce Ukraine’s status as a gas transit state? How will the Central- and Eastern European countries be affected by the construction of Nord Stream 2? Will it make them more vulnerable to Russian price dictation? Is European cohesion threatened by differing views on Nord Stream 2?
Program:
Welcome Speech:
- Šárka Prát, Member of the Board, European Liberal Forum
Confirmed speakers:
- Václav Bartuška, Ambassador for Energy Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic,
- Daniel Fried, Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council; Former US Ambassador to Poland,
- Friedbert Pflüger, Director, European Cluster of Climate, Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS),
The moderator is Martin Ehl, Chief Analyst, Hospodářské noviny.
Closing Remarks:
- Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society
The event will be held in English and you can watch it live on our Facebook.
Please register via this LINK.
An online event organised by the European Liberal Forum asbl (ELF). Supported by the Institute for Politics and Society (IPPS). Co-funded by the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content of the programme, or for any use that may be made of it. The views expressed herein are those of the speaker(s) alone. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the European Parliament and/or the European Liberal Forum asbl.